A 15-year-old boy who died after getting into difficulties in a river was the “heart of our family” and “brought energy, laughter and happiness” wherever he went, his family said.
Leon Pafu Ngoy was reported missing after going into the River Irwell at Clifton Country Park in Swinton, Greater Manchester, on 27 June. His body was recovered two days later.
In a tribute, his family said: “People will always remember his infectious smile, his sense of humour and the way he treated others with kindness and compassion.”
They said his death was “a tragic accident” and they wanted to warn people “no matter how safe the water may look, it is never worth taking the risk”.
“We want people to know that nobody was to blame for what happened.
“It was a tragic accident that has changed our lives forever,” they said in a statement shared by Greater Manchester Police (GMP).
“If Leon could speak to others today, we believe he would have one important message – no matter how safe the water may look, it is never worth taking the risk.
“We will always wonder what might have been if different choices had been made.
“If Leon had gone to the local swimming baths instead of the Clifton Country Park that day, he would still be with us.
“Leon was our baby, our brother, our best friend and the heart of our family.”
They added that by “sharing Leon’s story” they hoped no other families would have to go through such “unimaginable pain and heartbreak”.
The family also said that Leon, a basketball, fashion and music lover, had just completed his GCSEs and had been “excited” about the future.
They also thanked friends and “our community” for their support at this “incredibly difficult time”.
The family’s warning comes just days after the death of two men who got into difficulties in reservoirs in Greater Manchester in the space of just over 24 hours.
The body of an 18-year-old man was pulled from Dovestone Reservoir, Oldham, on Friday, while a 49-year-old man’s body was recovered from Sykes Reservoir, in Stockport, on Thursday.