Body found is believed to be boy, 12, missing in river

Police believe a body found in the search for a 12-year-old boy who went missing while swimming in a river in Lancashire is that of the child.

He was with friends when he got into difficulty in the River Ribble, Ribchester, at about 14:00 BST on Tuesday.

The incident follows a period of record-breaking heat across the UK, with multiple deaths as a result, most of them children.

A leading network for drowning prevention has recommended swimming in supervised locations with lifeguards where possible and entering the water slowly to reduce cold-water shock.

Wednesday has brought a reprieve from the record-breaking temperatures, as cooler air moves over northern and eastern areas of England.

Police and fire crews with underwater units launched a major search of the area on the River Ribble until a body was recovered from the water at about 19:50 BST on Tuesday.

Formal identification has not yet taken place but Lancashire Police said: "We believe it to be the body of the missing boy."

Earlier, one resident told BBC North West Tonight that the area was a "hotspot" for children and it tended to be people from out of the area who visited to swim.

Ann-Marie Ruddock, who has lived in Ribchester since 1991, said: "Locals are well aware of the dangers of the river and they tend to keep away from it. It's nightmare scenario."

In Cheshire, a body has also been found in the search for a 17-year-old boy who went missing after swimming in Pick Mere, between Knutsford and Northwich.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) issued amber and yellow heat-health alerts for many areas of the UK on Tuesday, lasting until 17:00 BST on Thursday.

These alert types mean "water-related incidents may increase, including risks from cold‑water shock and drowning", according to the UKHSA.

Newly released figures from the National Water Safety Forum show more accidental drowning deaths occurred inland than on the coast for the seventh consecutive year in 2025.

Among its other safety recommendations, the network advises that if in trouble in water, people should "try to float on their backs until feeling calm and either wait for rescue or swim to safety if they can".

The Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS) also issued a warning following the recent deaths, saying "warmer weather unfortunately sees an increase in accidental drownings".

It warned that water temperatures remained very cold, despite increased air temperatures, and that cold water shock could make swimming difficult and increased the difficulty in getting out of the water.

Anyone who sees someone in an emergency in the water should call 999, stay out of the water themselves and throw them something that floats, such as a plastic water bottle or football for them to hold on to and stay afloat while help is on the way, the RLSS added.

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