Tributes paid to boy, 12, who drowned during UK heatwave
A 12-year-old boy named Junior Slater drowned in the River Ribble during the recent UK heatwave. His family described him as their 'little blue-eyed boy' and expressed their deep sorrow over his loss. Lancashire Police confirmed that the incident is not being treated as suspicious.
- ▪Junior Slater was from Clayton le Woods in Lancashire.
- ▪Emergency services were called after he got into difficulty while swimming with friends.
- ▪His family released a heartfelt tribute, stating he was the 'life and soul of our lives'.
- ▪The police confirmed that the death is not being treated as suspicious.
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NewsUKHome NewsTributes paid to boy, 12, who drowned during UK heatwaveHis family called Junior Slater their ‘little blue-eyed boy’Nicole Wootton-Cane Wednesday 27 May 2026 16:32 BSTBookmarkCommentsGo to commentsBookmark popoverRemoved from bookmarksClose popover{"translations":{"comments":"Go to comments","share":"Share","copyLink":"Copy link","bookmark":"Bookmark","removeBookmark":"Remove bookmark"},"showComments":true,"showBookmark":true,"articleId":"b2984597","articleMeta":{"url":"https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/lancashire-river-ribble-death-junior-slater-tributes-b2984597.html","title":"Tributes paid as boy, 12, who drowned during UK heatwave named"}}Junior Slater was 12 and from Clayton le Woods in Lancashire (Lancashire Police)Your support helps us to tell the…
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