Wednesday, May 27, 2026
The family of a teenager who died after getting into difficulty in the River Ribble has paid a heartbreaking tribute to him.
Emergency services were called at just after 2pm yesterday (Tuesday, May 26th) to a report of a concern for safety after a boy had gone into the river at Ribchester and had got into difficulty while swimming with friends.
A large-scale search involving officers from Lancashire Police’s underwater search unit and colleagues from Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service was launched, with colleagues from North-West Ambulance Service providing support.
Very sadly, a body was recovered from the river around 7.50pm.
The boy can now be named as Junior Slater who was 12 and from Clayton le Woods.
In a tribute his family said:” Our little blue-eyed boy. He will be truly missed. He was the life and soul of our lives. Words can’t describe how we are feeling right now. We will forever love you Junior.”
Junior’s family continue to be supported by specially trained family liaison officers, and our thoughts are very much with his loved ones.
The family have asked for privacy at this time.
The death is not being treated as suspicious, and a file will be passed in due course to HM Coroner.
Junior Slater