There is a desperate search for missing young people in the lake, after nine youngsters lost their lives in the water during a heatwave in May.
Kent Police were called at approximately 2.51pm on Wednesday 27 May 2026 following concerns about a person in the area of Galley Hill Road in Swanscombe.
Officers remain at the scene alongside several emergency services agencies as extensive search operations continue.
A man at the scene, who asked not to be named, said the missing man was believed to be a member of a local boxing gym.
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He added: ‘I just hope the younger generation will listen to the warnings about the dangers of getting into the water.’
Junior Slater, 12, disappeared while swimming with friends in the River Ribble, in Lancashire, at 2pm yesterday afternoon.
Junior’s body was sadly recovered from the water hours later, Ribble Valley Police said.
The boy’s family issued a heartbreaking statement describing him as ‘the soul of our lives’.
It read: ‘Our little blue-eyed child. He will be greatly missed.
‘He is our life and soul. Words cannot describe our feelings right now. We will forever love you Junior.’
His former school, The Blessed Sacrament Primary in Preston, added: ‘It is with deep sadness that we remember one of our former pupils, Junior Slater, who tragically passed away yesterday.
‘Even though he left our school last year, his cheeky smile, warmth, kindness and bright spirit left a lasting impression on staff and students. Junior will be remembered for his smile, his friendship and the joy he brought to those around him.’
Chief Inspector Jamie Lewis said today the body was found after an underwater team explored Pickmere Lake in Marston, Nantwich.
He added: ‘This is a young man who has his whole life ahead of him.
‘At this very difficult time, our thoughts remain with the boy’s family, his friends and everyone who knew him.’
At least nine young people have died battling in open water since a record-breaking heatwave struck over the bank holiday weekend in May.
Declan Sawyer, 15, died after getting into trouble at Swanholme Lakes, Lincoln, on Sunday.
His father called him ‘a funny, friendly young man who loved fishing and football’.
Reco Puttock, 13, died after getting into difficulties at Leadbeater Dam, near Halifax, West Yorkshire, on Monday.
Lightcliffe Academy, in Halifax, said Puttock was ‘a popular and much-loved pupil’.
The body of a teenage girl was also recovered from the water at Kingsbury Water Park, Warwickshire.
A man in his 60s died of a heart attack when he entered the sea at Tregirls Beach, Padstow, to help two family members struggling in the water.
The body of a fourth teenager was recovered from the water at Rother Valley Country Park, Rotherham, yesterday morning.
That night, a body was found in the River Ribble after a 12-year-old boy got into trouble while swimming with his friends in Ribchester. He has now been named a Junior Slater.
Irish police said that Abbie Carmody-Pepper, 15, died in the sea at Burrow Beach, a popular swimming spot near Howth, on Sunday.
He was swimming with friends at the time, according to a GoFundMe raising money for his funeral.
The RNLI issued a warning against swimming in open water
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) said that despite the hot temperatures, open waters remained cool.
So, when a person swims in a lake or sea, this can cause ‘cold water shock’ as the body struggles to understand the change in temperature.
The shock of cold water can trigger hyperventilation, a rapid increase in heart rate, and a spike in blood pressure.
The RNLI said: ‘Despite warm air temperatures, the seas are still cold and cold water shock remains a very real risk.
‘With many schoolchildren enjoying half term, the life-saving charity is urging everyone to stay safe.’
Even though it’s still spring, much of the UK and Ireland has already experienced its first heatwave of the year.
Temperatures rose to 30.5°C in southeast England on Saturday.
Tuesday was the hottest day in May ever recorded in the UK, with Kew Gardens, west London, reaching a blistering 35.1°C, breaking the record set the day before by two degrees.
The Met Office described the heat as ‘unprecedented for the time of year’, and stressed that records are usually only broken by a fraction of a degree.
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