Grieving mum's heartbreaking plea as son, 16, dies while 'cooling off' with pals
A grieving mum has put out a heartbreaking plea after her teenage son drowned while cooling off with friends.
Kalen Waugh, 16, died while swimming in Salford Quays, Greater Manchester, in July last year.
His body was pulled from the former dock area following a major search.
The teenager had just finished his GCSEs at New Park School in Salford and was due to start at Salford College last September on the Multi-Trade course.
It comes as at least 12 young people have died while swimming in open water across the UK already since the start of May.
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They include the two victims at Bournemouth beach last week, with an inquest hearing today there was a "suggestion" they got caught in a riptide.
In a Facebook post last week, as the first anniversary of her son's death approaches, Kalen's mum Vicky Waugh said: "I seriously beg you all please don't do it.... find other ways to chill in the sun.
Kalen Waugh was due to start college last September (JustGiving)
Kalen Waugh was about to start at Salford College (New Park School Salford)"Especially all Kalen's mates, with most of you living near to there."
In a second post on Saturday (June 3), she added: "I spent your whole life worrying about who would be there for you...or who would look after you if something ever was to happen to me, Kalen Waugh.
"For me to be here in this s*** world living this s*** life without you. Never once in all them years of worry did I think it would be this way round."
Salford Quays is a popular spot for swimming in the summer (MEN Media)Kalen was described in a statement released by his school at the time of his death as "a cheeky chappy who certainly kept staff on their toes".
Headteacher Almut Bever-Warren also told The Mirror: "Kalen was a very popular student with us, he had a college placement for September, mum was very proud of him that he had sat his GCSEs, the first in the family."
She continued: "I had spoken to the parents of the Year 11 lads who Kalen had been with on Saturday night while we were waiting [at the scene] because I didn't want them to hear it via social media.
Balloons left in memory of Kalen at the scene (MEN Media)"You might be aware we are a special school, I didn't call an assembly, I went class by class, I've been here for 17 years and I've never cried, but I cried whilst I told them what it was like waiting with mum for the body to be retrieved.
"I said to them I do not want to stand there again with one of your mums and the children were very respectful and accepted that."
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Worryingly, young males were seen diving into the water just hours after the tragedy on July 16 2022, despite warnings from Greater Manchester Police.
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