Tributes paid as boy, 12, who drowned during UK heatwave named

Emergency services were called shortly after 2pm on Tuesday after a 12-year-old boy went into the river at Ribchester and got into difficulty while swimming with friends. A body was recovered from the river at around 7:50pm. Lancashire Police named the boy as Junior Slater and said the death is not being treated as suspicious. Junior’s family paid tribute, describing him as their “blue-eyed little boy,” the “life and soul” of their lives, and expressing deep grief. The incident follows six other young deaths in swimming-related incidents during the heatwave. Police in Cheshire recovered a body on Wednesday believed to be a 17-year-old boy missing after going into the water at Pickmere Lake, Marston, Northwich, on Tuesday.

"It comes after six other young people died in swimming-related incidents during the heatwave. Police in Cheshire recovered a body on Wednesday believed to be a 17-year-old boy who went missing in the water at Pickmere Lake, Marston, Northwich, on Tuesday. This is a breaking story, more to follow..."

Read at www.independent.co.uk