Junior Slater's family urge 'remember the boy, not just the tragedy' as coroner rules death was 'accidental'
The 12-year-old's family want people to remember him as a bright, funny and cheeky young boy who had a huge heart
The family of a boy who drowned in May have urged people to ‘remember the boy, not just the tragedy’.
Junior Slater drowned when around 50 children visited the water at Ribchester during a heatwave in May. He was remembered as a funny, cheeky and caring young boy who would go out of his way to help others.
An inquest on Friday heard that he was unable to swim and had initially entered shallow water before drifting into deeper water and encountering difficulties.
On May 26, a large group had arranged to visit the river and many were jumping in from a concrete slab which is regularly used for such activity. At Preston Coroners Court, an inquest heard there was confusion as to whether Junior was among those who jumped from there or if this was actually another child who looked similar.
DS Mark Hutchinson summarised witness statements from various children who disagreed as to how Junior had entered the water. Many said they had seen Junior waving his arms and shouting for help and at first did not think it was serious.
When it became apparent this was not the case, two older boys – aged around 15 – spent several minutes searching under the water where Junior was last seen. One said he believed the water in that area to be around 8m deep and had never been able to touch the bottom there.
While others used Junior’s phone to call paramedics and his mum, the older boys continued to search the river until North West Ambulance Service arrived and ordered everyone to get out of the water.
Junior had travelled on the bus from his home in Clayton-le-Woods and of the friends who took the journey with him, two said he had told them he couldn’t swim. One had urged him not to jump in but instead stay in shallow areas while another, who had stayed with him in the shallow area at first, said he understood this to mean Junior was a weak swimmer rather than entirely unable.
DS Hutchinson said the water ranges from 0.5m-3.5m deep in most areas but is much deeper in others. He said there were rumours that Junior was pushed but police do not believe this to be the case. Instead, it is thought that, having taken off his shoes, socks and t-shirt, he entered the water of his own choice and slipped in the shallow part.
“Maybe he hadn’t realised how deep it was,” DS Hutchinson said. “It seems very unlikely he jumped in due to the fact he can’t swim.”
Concluding the inquest, coroner Richard Taylor with Darwen, said: “This was no doubt an excursion that Junior was looking forward to, going with his mates.
“He couldn’t swim. The thought was that he was only going to paddle. It may well be that he then slipped and got into deeper water. Some of the other boys did try to save him but we’ve heard the river is very deep and the undercurrent very strong.”
A conclusion of accidental death was recorded.
In a tribute read by Junior’s sister Shannon after the hearing, his family said: “Junior was our beautiful blue eyed boy. He was a proper mummy’s boy and he had the biggest heart. He was only 12-years-old but he had a personality which could fill an entire room.
“He was bright, funny, cheeky, kind and he would help anyone who needed him without ever thinking twice.
“Junior was so much more than the tragedy which took him from us. He was a son, a brother, a friend and a much loved uncle.
“He had his whole life ahead of him. So many birthdays, Christmases, adventures and memories that we would have been able to share with him.
“We want people to remember Junior the boy, not just Junior the tragedy. Remember his blue eyes, his smile, his laugh, his huge heart.
“Our beautiful boy.”
After his death, Junior’s primary school The Blessed Sacrament paid tribute to a much loved former pupil. It said: “Although he left our school last year, his cheeky smile, warmth, kindness, and bright spirit left a lasting impression on both staff and students. Junior will be remembered for his smile, friendships, and the joy he brought to those around him.
“Our thoughts, prayers, and heartfelt condolences are with his mum and wider family and friends at this incredibly difficult time. As a school community, we stand together in remembering a young life taken far too soon.”