NewsUK NewsTributesJunior Slater, 12, from Clayton-le-Woods, died after getting into difficulty in the River Ribble at Ribchester on Tuesday16:23, 27 May 2026Updated 16:40, 27 May 2026A child who died after getting into difficulty in the River Ribble has been named as 12-year-old Junior Slater.‌In a tribute shared by Lancashire Police, Junior's family, from Clayton-le-Woods, 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.”‌Emergency services were called shortly after 2pm on Tuesday to reports of concern for safety after a boy got into difficulty while swimming with friends in the river at Ribchester.‌A body was recovered from the river at around 7.50pm on Tuesday following a large-scale search involving officers from Lancashire Police’s underwater search unit and crews from Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service. The North West Ambulance Service also attended the incident.Junior’s family is being supported by specially trained officers and has asked for privacy at this time. The death is not being treated as suspicious, and a file will be passed to HM Coroner in due course.Article continues belowJunior is one of seven youngsters to have died in water-related incidents in the UK during the heatwave.Choose Daily Mirror as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.‌Breaking NewsTributes