A heartbreaking incident has shaken the village of Ribchester in Lancashire, as the body of a 12-year-old boy was recovered from the River Ribble following a large-scale search operation.

The boy, named locally as Junior Slater from Clayton-le-Woods, got into difficulty while swimming with friends in the river on Tuesday afternoon, May 27. Emergency services were called shortly after 2:00 p.m. BST when the child was reported missing.

Lancashire Police, along with Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service, North-West Ambulance Service, and specialist underwater search teams, conducted an intensive operation that lasted several hours. The boy’s body was recovered around 7:50 p.m. near the scene.

Formal identification is yet to be confirmed, but police believe the body is that of the missing 12-year-old. His family is being supported by specially trained officers. The death is not being treated as suspicious at this time.

The incident occurred amid a UK heatwave, with temperatures reaching record highs for May. Authorities have issued repeated warnings about the dangers of open water, including strong currents and cold water shock, especially during warm weather when rivers can appear inviting.

Tributes have begun pouring in for Junior, described by his family as “the life and soul of our lives” and a boy with “blue eyes” who will be “truly missed.”

Local residents and classmates are mourning the loss, with flowers and messages left near the riverside. The tragedy has prompted renewed calls for water safety awareness among children and families during the warmer months.

Our thoughts are with Junior’s family, friends, and the entire Ribchester community during this incredibly difficult time.

This is a developing story as the investigation into the full circumstances continues.