Father of drowned teenager pays tribute to his son
The father of Aaron Burgess, the teenager who drowned in the River Avon at Saltford earlier this week, has described his son as 'a fantastic, happy go lucky boy'.
Jay Burgess also warned other teenagers about the dangers of swimming in rivers.
Aaron was a fantastic happy go lucky boy. He was very popular and he was loved by everybody. I'm completely devastated by what's happened and I will miss him so terribly.
I am grateful for all of the kind words of support from his friends and the cards and flowers which have been left.
I am also extremely grateful for the efforts of all of the emergency services and the Search & Rescue Teams.
I know that everything was done to save him but unfortunately it was just not possible.
I can only hope now that other young people realise the dangers of swimming near weirs and in rivers.
Hundreds of people have taken to the social networking site Facebook today to pay tribute to a teenager who died swimming in the River Avon. 14-year-old Aaron Burgess was fondly remembered by friends who visited the spot where he died today.
Hundreds pay tribute to boy who died while swimming in river Credit: ITV West Country
Aaron Burgess' family and friends have set up a tribute page on Facebook. Credit: Facebook
The teenage boy who drowned in the River Avon at Saltford, near Bath, has been named as Aaron Burgess.
His family and friends have set up a tribute page on Facebook.
The 14-year-old was cooling off in a stretch of the River Avon between Bristol and Bath yesterday evening when he disappeared under the water and did not resurface.
Emergency services searching for a teenager feared drowned in the River Avon have recovered a body from the water.
The 14-year-old boy was last seen swimming with friends at Saltford near Bath before the alarm was raised yesterday evening.
Police divers made the discovery at about 11.30 last night. His next of kin have been informed. Volunteers from the boating community helped with the search. His friends are said to be 'distraught'.
Volunteers are among those searching for a missing boy last seen swimming in the River Avon. Avon and Somerset Police, Avon Fire and the ambulance service are all at the scene this evening. Roads in the area were initially closed to allow emergency vehicles access.
Emergency services were called just before 6pm. Specialist equipment is being used to search for the teenager. The boy's next of kin have been told about his disappearance.
River search will continue through the night for missing boy
A major search operation for a boy feared drowned in the River Avon will continue throughout the night Avon and Somerset Police have confirmed. They're searching for a 14-year-old boy who was last seen swimming with his friends in the river near Saltford. His friends are said to be 'distraught'.
