Latest news with #tragicLoss
The Sun
31-05-2025
- General
- The 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. 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.' 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
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.
CBS News
13-05-2025
- CBS News
North suburban Chicago teen honored one year after crash took his life
A north suburban Chicago teenager should be finishing his first year of college, but instead, he was remembered Monday night — one year after he died in a violent crash. The other driver was arrested and charged with driving under the influence. The memorial service for Marko Niketic was held at Cole Park in Glenview, just blocks from the crash scene. A permanent garden will soon be dedicated in Marko's honor. Around 8 p.m. on Mother's Day, May 12, 2024, the 17-year-old Marko and his girlfriend, Ella Schriber, when they were hit by an alleged drunken driver at Lake Avenue and Meadow Lane in Glenview. The car spilt in two, and Marko died. He was a senior at Glenbrook South High School and weeks away from graduating. On the busy stretch of road where it happened, reminders of Marko are everywhere. "Being here is still surreal. It'll never be real to me as long as I'm breathing, and I will never be over it," said Marko's mother, Gordana Niketic. Family and friends came back a year later with his picture proudly worn on their T-shirts — as flowers piled up in his honor. "Look at all the photos and stuff, and see all the things that are still here a year later. It's just, it's really beautiful," said Marko's friend, Jordyn Matles, "and I can still like hear his laugh and his voice just by like looking at some of the photos." Taeyoung Kim of Northbrook stands charged with two counts of aggravated driving under the influence, causing death and great bodily harm, reckless homicide, and other drunken driving counts and traffic violations in the crash that killed Marko. Prosecutors said he was traveling over 130 mph just before the crash, and 122 mph at the time of impact. Part of the picket fence along the road where the crash happened had to be rebuilt, and it shows. "You can see it's the different shade of the fence — really shows like how intense the actual crash was," Matles said, "but to be here with everyone really just represents who Marko was a as person." "Life is so valuable and so short, and so you have to everything while you can," said Marko's friend, Cassidy Collins, "and to be very careful, and think about your actions more." While time has passed, Marko Niketic's family is comforted by the young adults who have vowed to keep his memory alive. "Usually, people shut down. Usually, people just chose to forget about it," said Marko's brother, Luka Niketic. "But instead, everybody wants to support, and make Marko's name like really just live on forever." "I'm really at a loss for words at how these young kids act so like empathic," added Gordana Niketick. "It's amazing. They literally don't leave my side at all." The driver who was arrested remained in custody late Monday, and will be back in court in July. Marko's family hopes the garden in his honor at Cole Park will be open by the summer.
