Latest news with #LancashirePolice
The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- The Irish Sun
‘Beautiful' schoolboy, 15, drowns in river after passers-by tried to save him as his devastated family pays tributes
A FAMILY have paid tribute to their "beautiful" boy who drowned in a river despite passers-by trying to rescue him. Lotus Bowker, 15, from Kirkham, Lancashire, died after getting into difficulty in water on May 17. Emergency services were called to the riverbank at around 2:30pm and the teenager was airlifted to hospital. But despite medics' best efforts, he passed away the following morning. Cops have urged anyone with information related to the boy's death to come forward and urged people to "think twice" before going into open water. The lad's parents have paid tribute to their "beautiful boy" who they say is "sadly" missed by his family. Read more on News They said: "Our beautiful boy, sadly missed by his Mummy, Daddy, his brothers and sister deeply. Words cannot describe the pain we are going through.' A GoFundme page has been set up in memory of the boy and to help support his family during this difficult time. In a heartbreaking post, Maria Mercer, a friend of the family's, wrote how their hearts have been "shattered" following the tragic incident. She described how what started off as an ordinary day quickly turned into an "unimaginable nightmare". Most read in The Sun She said: "On Sunday 18th May, our hearts were shattered when 15 year old Lotus Bowker tragically lost his life following an incident in a river. "What started off as an ordinary day quickly turned into an unimaginable nightmare and now family and friends are grieving the loss of a beautiful, bright and kind hearted soul taken way to soon. 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. "As his family and friends come to terms with this heartbreaking reality, they are now faced with the painful task of saying goodbye. "We want to give Lotus the farewell he truly deserves- one filled with love, dignity and the honour that his life deserves. "This fundraiser has been created to help give Lotus the best send off and support his family in this difficult time. "Every donation, no matter how small, will make a meaningful difference and ease the burden on those left behind." Regarding the tragic incident, DI 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 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." 1 Lotus Bowker died after getting into difficulty in water Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk
Wales Online
2 days ago
- Wales Online
Boy, 4, attacked by dog and sustained injuries 'like something out of a horror film'
Boy, 4, attacked by dog and sustained injuries 'like something out of a horror film' Amanda Holmes' son, Antonio Quinn, was attacked by a Pocket Bully while outside a friend's house Antonio Quinn was left bloodied with injuries on both cheeks, under his chin, and on his right thigh (Image: Amanda Holmes© SWNS ) A heartbroken mother has recounted the moment her four-year-old son sustained injuries 'like something out of a horror film' after being attacked by a dog. Amanda Holmes' son, Antonio Quinn, was at a friend's home on Monday (May 26) when he was unexpectedly viciously attacked by a Pocket Bully. Antonio was standing just outside the front door when the dog attacked him. A family friend intervened and successfully pulled the dog away. Though the frightened boy escaped, he was left bloodied, with injuries on both cheeks, under his chin, and on his right thigh. Antonio was then rushed to the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, where he underwent three hours of surgery to stitch his wounds. Amanda, 34, said: "It was the worst thing ever, it was horrible. It was so scary. Antonio was rushed to the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, where he underwent a three-hour surgery (Image: Amanda Holmes© SWNS ) "I couldn't believe my son's face was like that, it was like something out of a horror film." Amanda said that Antonio went to his neighbour's house to quickly get a drink, but was unexpectedly attacked by the animal. He then hurried back to his home in Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire, where he was rushed to the hospital. The mum-of-three continued: "I heard a scream - you know your child's cry. "Antonio was then at the front door, he had blood all over his face and his cheeks were hanging off his face. "I was screaming, asking what's happened and then I rang the ambulance. Luckily, the dog didn't remove any skin - they just ripped it. "They've managed to put it all back together, they've done a really good job with him." Amanda, who owns a Siberian Husky crossed with a Pomeranian dog, added that despite Antonio's injuries, he now seems to be doing well. She said: "I thought that bringing him home from the hospital, when we've got a dog, might be an obstacle for him, but he's been absolutely fine. "The dog knows that he's been injured so she hasn't left his side. Antonio is doing okay, you can tell that he's shocked by it. He's still in a lot of pain, but he's doing well." Antonio was standing just outside the front door when the dog attacked him (Image: Amanda Holmes© SWNS ) A spokesperson for Lancashire Police confirmed the seizure of the Pocket Bully and a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, which were present at the scene. Article continues below They said: "We're appealing for information and footage after a child suffered a dog bite in Oswaldtwistle. We were called at shortly after 1.30 pm on Monday 26th May following reports that a child had been bitten by a dog on Thwaites Road, Oswaldtwistle. "The child, a four-year-old boy, was taken to hospital with injuries to his leg and face. Thankfully, those injuries are not life-threatening. "Two dogs have been seized by police – a Staffordshire Bull Terrier type and a Pocket Bully Type and the dog owner has been identified and will be spoken to in due course."
Metro
3 days ago
- Metro
Boy, 4, left with 'horror film' injuries after Bully dog attack
A mum whose four-year-old son was viciously attacked by a Pocket Bully said his injuries were something like 'out of a horror film'. Amanda Holmes' son, Antonio, was at his friend's house on Monday when the dog attacked him, before a family friend managed to pull it off. Antonio managed to run away from the dog, but he was left covered in blood and had injuries to both of his cheeks, underneath his chin and his right thigh. Mum Amanda recalled: 'It was the worst thing ever, it was horrible. It was so scary. I couldn't believe my son's face was like that, it was like something out of a horror film.' He was then rushed to the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, where he underwent a three-hour operation to stitch his wounds. 'I heard a scream – you know your child's cry. Antonio was then at the front door, he had blood all over his face, and his cheeks were hanging off his face,' Amanda said. 'I was screaming, asking what had happened, and then I rang the ambulance. Luckily, the dog didn't remove any skin – they just ripped it. 'They've managed to put it all back together, they've done a really good job with him,' she added. Amanda, who owns a Siberian Husky crossed with a Pomeranian dog, says that despite Antonio's injuries, he seems to be doing well. She said: 'I thought that bringing him home from the hospital, when we've got a dog, might be an obstacle for him, but he's been absolutely fine. 'The dog knows that he's been injured, so she hasn't left his side. Antonio is doing okay, you can tell that he's shocked by it. He's still in a lot of pain, but he's doing well.' A Lancashire Police spokesperson confirmed that the Pocket Bully and a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, which were also at the scene, have been seized. They said: 'We're appealing for information and footage after a child suffered a dog bite in Oswaldtwistle. More Trending 'We were called shortly after 1.30 pm on Monday, May 26, following reports that a child had been bitten by a dog on Thwaites Road, Oswaldtwistle. 'The child, a four-year-old boy, was taken to the hospital with injuries to his leg and face. Thankfully, those injuries are not life-threatening.' Police said the dog's owner has been identified. Pocket Bullies are a smaller version of the famous XL Bully, but the smaller breed is often an American Bully crossed with the British Patterdale Terrier. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Peak District visitors could face £1 entry fee to 'access incredible landscape' MORE: Baby in hospital after vicious dog attack in Manchester MORE: EasyJet passenger hurls homophobic abuse at staff before dramatic punch-up
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Scottish Sun
Boy, 4, has cheek ‘ripped off' after being savaged by two dogs who escaped neighbour's house in horror attack
'It was the worst thing ever, it was horrible' SCARRED FOR LIFE Boy, 4, has cheek 'ripped off' after being savaged by two dogs who escaped neighbour's house in horror attack Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A FOUR-year-old child has been left with injuries "like something out of a horror film" after he was savaged by a dog. Amanda Holmes' son Antonio Quinn was at his friend's house on May 26 when he was suddenly attacked by a Pocket Bully. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 Antonio Quinn was attacked by a Pocket Bully Credit: SWNS 5 The young lad was rushed to hospital Credit: SWNS 5 The dog mauled the child's face and ripped his cheeks Credit: SWNS He had been standing just outside the front door when he was attacked by the dog and was saved by a family friend who managed to pull the creature off. The terrified youngster managed to run away from the dog, but he was left covered in blood and had injuries to both of his cheeks, underneath his chin and his right thigh. Antonio was then rushed to the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, where he underwent a three-hour operation to stitch his wounds. Amanda, 34, said: "It was the worst thing ever, it was horrible. It was so scary. "I couldn't believe my son's face was like that, it was like something out of a horror film." Amanda says that Antonio went to his neighbour's house to quickly grab a drink, when he was suddenly attacked by the animal. The youngster then ran back to his house in Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire before being rushed to hospital and put in theatre for three hours. Amanda, a mum-of-three said: "I heard a scream - you know your child's cry. "Antonio was then at the front door, he had blood all over his face and his cheeks were hanging off his face. "I was screaming, asking what's happened and then I rang the ambulance. The dangerous dog attack capital nestled in the Welsh valleys "Luckily, the dog didn't remove any skin - they just ripped it. "They've managed to put it all back together, they've done a really good job with him." Despite Antonio's injuries, he seems to be doing well, she added. She said: "I thought that bringing him home from the hospital, when we've got a dog, might be an obstacle for him but he's been absolutely fine. "The dog knows that he's been injured so she hasn't left his side. "Antonio is doing okay, you can tell that he's shocked by it. "He's still in a lot of pain but he's doing well." A Lancashire Police spokesperson confirmed that the Pocket Bully and a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, which was also at the scene, have been seized. They said: "We're appealing for information and footage after a child suffered a dog bite in Oswaldtwistle. "We were called at shortly after 1.30pm on Monday 26th May following reports that a child had been bitten by a dog on Thwaites Road, Oswaldtwistle. "The child, a four-year-old boy, was taken to hospital with injuries to his leg and face. "Thankfully, those injuries are not life threatening. "Two dogs have been seized by police - a Staffordshire Bull Terrier type and a Pocket Bully Type and the dog owner has been identified and will be spoken to in due course." 5 Antonio was in theatre being operated on for three hours Credit: SWNS
BBC News
4 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Lancashire: 'Despicable' sex offender tried to blame 'fake twin'
A "despicable" paedophile who tried to cover up his crimes against young boys by blaming an imaginary twin brother has been Sullivan, 32, of no fixed abode, told the lie after he was confronted in Lancashire last year by the children's discovered Sullivan did not have a twin, and further found out that he had an existing Sexual Harm Prevention Order following a previous conviction. Lancashire Police said Sullivan, formerly of Blackpool, was jailed for 12 years for rape, several sexual offences against children, and possessing indecent images. Sullivan was also sentenced at Canterbury Crown Court on 23 May for raping a child aged under 13 and sexually assaulting a child in the Kent area in Constable Sam Schofield said: "Sullivan is a despicable individual who committed abhorrent crimes against children."Sullivan believed he was being "cunning" but "thanks to the inquisitive nature of the parents, his lies were uncovered and began to unravel".The 32-year-old paedophile has also been ordered to sign the sex offenders' register for will also be banned indefinitely from having unsupervised contact with children, and have his internet access limited. 'Began to unravel' Parents of Sullivan's victims confronted him with concerns about his previous offending, Lancashire Police told them those crimes had been committed by his twin brother, who had since killed the parents looked into Sullivan's claim and discovered it to be bogus, they reported him to police. Detectives found Sullivan had sexually assaulted a young also discovered more than 1,300 indecent images of children on his were videos, with more than 700 classified as being of the most severe category. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
