Latest news with #Garstang
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- General
- Daily Mail
Pictured: Boy, 15, who drowned in river despite passers-by making desperate efforts to save him - as family warm others of open water dangers
A teenage boy who died after drowning in a river despite desperate attempts by passers-by to save him has been pictured for the first time. Police were called to help assist Lotus Bowker, 15, from Kirkham, Lancashire, who had got into difficulty in the water close to Garstang Cricket Club at 2.33pm on Saturday, May 17. After receiving CPR from members of the public on the riverbank, the teenager was then airlifted to hospital in a critical condition. However, despite medical personnel's best efforts, he sadly passed away the following morning. Following Lotus's tragic death, Maria Mercer, a friend of the young boy's family, launched a GoFundMe campaign in a bid to help 'give him the best send off'. Describing the devastating incident as an 'ordinary day' that 'quickly turned into an unimaginable nightmare', Ms Mercer added: 'Lotus was more than just a teenager - he was a son, a brother, a friend and a shining light in the lives of everyone who knew him. 'His smile could lift a room, and his energy was infectious. He had dreams, laughter to share and a whole life ahead of him. That future was stolen in a moment that will never be forgotten.' Given the tragic circumstances of their son's death, Lotus's family are now seeking to warn other youngsters about the dangers associated with swimming in rivers and open water. Remembering the life of their 'beautiful boy', a statement from the family on the fundraising page read: 'Sadly missed by his Mummy, Daddy, his brothers and sister deeply. Words cannot describe the pain we are going through'. Lotus's father, David, who also paid tribute to his 'lovely boy', said: 'He meant the world to me, my wife, daughter and four sons. 'I wouldn't wish this on anyone. Those waters aren't meant to be swam in.' David also advised any individuals, particularly young people, to 'think twice before visiting these dangerous locations', adding that they can often create 'costly cheap thrills' that should be avoided, irrespective of social pressures or a desire to be included. One local eyewitness, Nick Hill, previously told the BBC of the horrors that unfolded that fateful day, stating: 'The area was quickly cordoned off and I saw a police officer interviewing a tearful young girl among a group of backpackers'. Adding that the section of the River Wyre that Lotus had been swimming in 'is regarded by the Environment Agency as dangerous with several warning signs', he further remarked: 'It is a few yards beyond the flood control gate, a small area of invitingly calm water before a series of weirs.' The retired journalist also said that he had previously seen 'young boys leaping in from a high vantage point despite the obvious hazard'. Regarding the tragic incident, DI Adie Knowles, of West CID, said: 'First and foremost my thoughts remain with Lotus's loved ones at this incredibly difficult time. 'They have lost a son and a brother in the most tragic circumstances and I just want to echo David's words around water safety. 'I'd just ask that people think twice before going into rivers, reservoirs or any form of open water. You are unnecessarily putting your lives at risk, and I really don't want to have to knock on your parents door to tell them that you won't be coming home'. Any individuals with information related to Lotus's death should contact Lancashire Police on 101, quoting log 834 of May 17, 2025. It comes as new figures released on Wednesday by the National Water Safety Forum (NWSF) indicated that 193 people died from water-related incidents across the UK in 2024 . Up to 84 per cent of the accidental water deaths were male, with inland waters, such as rivers, canals, lakes, reservoirs and quarries, accounting for almost all fatal incidents.
BBC News
23-05-2025
- BBC News
Lotus Bowker: Boy, 15, who died in river was 'lovely boy'
A 15-year-old boy who died after getting into difficulty in a Lancashire river "was such a lovely boy", his father has Bowker, from Kirkham, was found in the River Wyre near Garstang Cricket Club in Lancashire at about 14:30 BST on of the public tried to resuscitate him before he was airlifted to hospital in a critical condition. He died the following day, police tribute, his father David said "he meant the world to me, my wife, daughter and four sons" and warned about the dangers of swimming in rivers and open water. "I wouldn't wish this on anyone. Those waters aren't meant to be swam in," he said."I want any individuals and especially youngsters to think twice before visiting these dangerous locations regardless of social pressures or feeling the need to be included." Lancashire Police said the teenager's death was not being treated as in any way Insp Adie Knowles said: "First and foremost my thoughts remain with Lotus's loved ones at this incredibly difficult time."They have lost a son and brother in the most tragic of circumstances and I just want to echo David's words around water safety. "I'd just ask that people think twice before going into rivers, reservoirs or any form of open water. "You are unnecessarily putting your lives at risk, and I really don't want to have to knock on your parents door to tell them that you won't be coming home." Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on BBC Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram and watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer.
Daily Mail
19-05-2025
- Daily Mail
Tragedy as teenage boy dies after getting into difficulty in river as passers-by frantically try to save him
A teenage boy has died after getting into difficulty in a river as passers-by frantically tried to save him. Police were called to the section of the River Wyre, in Lancashire, near Garstang Cricket Club at 2.33pm on Saturday where they found members of the public trying to resuscitate him. He was airlifted to hospital in a critical condition but sadly passed away yesterday. Officers are now appealing for anyone with information about the incident to come forward. A local eyewitness Nick Hill told the BBC: 'The area was quickly cordoned off and I saw a police officer interviewing a tearful young girl among a group of backpackers. 'That part of the Wyre is regarded by the Environment Agency as dangerous with several warning signs. It is a few yards beyond the flood control gate, a small area of invitingly calm water before a series of weirs.' The retired journalist added that previously he had seen 'young boys leaping in from a high vantage point despite the obvious hazard'. A spokesperson for Lancashire Police said: 'We were called to the River Wyre close to Garstang Cricket Club at 2.33pm on Saturday (17th May) following reports a male had got into difficulty in the water. 'Our officers quickly attended and found that a teenage boy was being given CPR by members of the public on the riverbank. 'He was airlifted to hospital in a critical condition but despite the best efforts of medical personnel, he very sadly died yesterday (18th May). 'Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones at this incredibly distressing time. 'Anyone with information can call 101, quoting log 834 of 17th May 2025.'
The Sun
19-05-2025
- The Sun
Teen schoolboy dies after ‘getting into difficulty' in river before horrified members of public ‘tried to give CPR'
A TEENAGE boy has died after being airlifted to hospital in critical condition when he got into difficulty in a river. Members of the public administered CPR to the teenager on the bank of the River Wyre in Lancashire. 2 He was rushed to hospital shortly after 2.30pm on Saturday. The boy hasn't yet been named publicly, and tragically passed away on Sunday. A police spokesperson told LancashireLive: "We were called to the River Wyre close to Garstang Cricket Club at 2.33pm on Saturday (May 17) following reports a male had got into difficulty in the water. "Our officers quickly attended and found that a teenage boy was being given CPR by members of the public on the riverbank. "He was airlifted to hospital in a critical condition but despite the best efforts of medical personnel, he very sadly died yesterday (May 18). "Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones at this incredibly distressing time. "Anyone with information can call 101, quoting log 834 of May 17, 2025." 2
BBC News
19-05-2025
- BBC News
Teen dies after getting into difficulty in River Wyre at Garstang
A teenage boy has died after getting into difficulty in the River Wyre near Garstang Cricket Club. Lancashire Police said the incident happened in a section of the river at about 14:30 BST on Saturday.A spokesman said: "Our officers quickly attended and found that a teenage boy was being given CPR by members of the public on the riverbank."He was airlifted to hospital in a critical condition but despite the best efforts of medical personnel, he very sadly died yesterday." A local eyewitness Nick Hill told the BBC: "The area was quickly cordoned off and I saw a police officer interviewing a tearful young girl among a group of backpackers."That part of the Wyre is regarded by the Environment Agency as dangerous with several warning signs. It is a few yards beyond the flood control gate, a small area of invitingly calm water before a series of weirs." The retired journalist added that previously he had seen "young boys leaping in from a high vantage point despite the obvious hazard". The Environment Agency and Wyre Council have been contacted for a comment. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on BBC Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram and watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer.
