A family has paid tribute to a teenager who tragically passed away after being discovered in a river in Cumbria.
Lewis Michael Kirkpatrick, from Carlisle, was with three other teenage boys when they ran into difficulty in the River Eden on Friday evening (May 26). His body was found shortly after 1.30pm on Saturday following a search operation.
Parents Nichola and Paul Kirkpatric described Lewis as always having a "cheeky and infectious smile". They also expressed their gratitude to the emergency services and agencies that aided in searching for Lewis as well as one member of the public who risked his life to try and save the boys.
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In a statement released by Cumbria Police, the family said: "Lewis was the baby of the family and his death has left a gaping hole that can never be filled. Lewis was a loving son, brother of Kyle and Nathan, grandson, nephew, cousin, uncle, friend, and boyfriend of Kiara.”
The family also extended its gratitude to the Carlisle United and Stockport County fans for their tribute to Lewis at Wembley Stadium on Sunday. The parents also stressed the dangers of rivers and how they can be deceptively inviting during periods of warm weather.
"We don't want any other families to suffer the same, awful loss," they added.
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