The parents of a 15-year-old boy who died in the River Eden in Cumbria have requested other youngsters to be careful around open water. On Friday night, Lewis Michael Kirkpatrick died after he and three other teenage boys got into difficulty in the River Eden.

Paying an emotional tribute to their son, his parents, Nichola and Paul remembered their “kind, caring and funny son”.

The couple described Lewis as always having a “cheeky and infectious smile.”

They 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 expressed their gratitude to the emergency services and agencies that helped in the search for Lewis and, in particular, the member of the public who risked his own life to try to help the boys.

The family said that they are overwhelmed by all of the messages of support that they have received.

They also thanked all of the Carlisle United and Stockport County fans for their moving tribute to Lewis at Wembley Stadium on Sunday.

Nichola and Paul also wished to raise attention to the danger of rivers and how in the warm weather, the water may look inviting but can be deadly.

They said: “We don’t want any other families to suffer the same, awful loss.”

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Officers from Cumbria Constabulary were alerted to the four boys struggling in the water in the city’s Rosehill area at 6.41pm on Friday, prompting the launch of a large multi-agency search.

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