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The family of a 12-year-old boy who tragically lost his life after encountering trouble while swimming in a river have expressed their deep sorrow, referring to him as their “little blue-eyed boy.” Junior Slater, who lived in Clayton-le-Woods, Chorley, Lancashire, had been swimming with friends at the River Ribble near Ribchester around 2:00 pm on Tuesday, according to Lancashire Police.
Following an extensive search operation that involved an underwater recovery team, Junior’s body was found shortly before 8:00 pm. His family paid tribute to him, describing Junior as the “life and soul of our lives” who would be “truly missed.” They are receiving support from specially trained police officers during this difficult time and have requested privacy. In their statement, they said: “Words can’t describe how we are feeling right now. We will forever love you Junior.”
Authorities have confirmed that there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding the boy’s death, and the case file will be handed over to the coroner to proceed with further investigations. This heartbreaking incident has highlighted the ongoing risks associated with swimming in open water areas, prompting renewed cautions from safety organizations.
Rebecca Ramsay, a campaigner for water safety whose son drowned in similar circumstances in 2011, expressed her condolences and reflected on the dangers of natural water sites. She stated she is “heartbroken for all the families” enduring similar grief and emphasized that many outdoor water locations can be “death traps” where no one should take unnecessary risks. Supporting these warnings, the Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS) explained that, despite warmer weather, water temperatures remain dangerously cold, and shock from cold water can incapacitate swimmers, making it difficult to escape.
Jim Bridge, representing the Greater Manchester Water Safety Partnership, gave practical advice to those who might find themselves struggling in water. Speaking on BBC Breakfast, he recommended lying on one’s back with the head tilted back and ears submerged to control breathing and stabilize in the water. He said, “Lie on your back with your head back, with your ears submerged, use your arms and legs to stabilize yourself and just let your breathing come back to a normal breathing pattern. And when you’re feeling confident that you’ve gotten used to the water and your breathing’s normal, you can shout for help or swim to save yourself.
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