'Darling boy' missed by family after dying in canal on hottest day of the year
A teenage boy who died in a canal on the hottest day of the year has been described as someone who "made every person laugh".
Preston McNally was named locally as the 16-year-old who died in a canal on the hottest day of the year at Leeds-Liverpool Canal in Burnley, Lancashire. Emergency services were called at 4.20pm that afternoon, sparking a frantic search. But it ended when his body was recovered from the water just before 7.20pm. Police today confirmed he had entered the water near Empire Way in the town. A force spokesman said: “A 16-year-old boy was pronounced deceased at the scene and our thoughts are with his family and loved ones at this distressing time. Our inquiries are continuing.”
Preston McNally was described as a 'darling boy' (Facebook)According to the Lancashire Telegraph tributes have been pouring in across Facebook. And older sister Lauren Saddington, a party business owner and TikToker, said: "Oh my darling boy. My heart is broken. You didn’t deserve this and our family didn’t deserve this.
"You were so loved and you made every person laugh so much! It was only days ago you chipped your front tooth (I’ve heard you still had four girls around you). I am so sorry you have been taken from us, I’m sorry for us all but especially your mum and dad and my dad too. Your sisters, your aunties, your cousins, your nannies…we’re all going to miss you so much.
"My heart aches and I don’t know how we will ever come to terms with losing you. Forever 16 and forever in our hearts. Preston McNally. Love you always… from your biggest sis x."
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And another family member posted: "My sweet baby boy. When you pick a flower you pick the prettiest and that's exactly what god did when he chose you, he took the most handsome caring boy I know and you will forever be missed. Our hearts are broken."
The shocking incident unfolded as the Met Office confirmed Saturday was officially the hottest day of the year so far, with a temperature of 32.7C recorded at Heathrow. The UK also had an extraordinary seventh consecutive day of 30C heat on Sunday – the longest September heatwave on record – with 32.5C recorded in Cambridge.
An amber heat-health warning was issued by the UK Health Security Agency. Last year, there were an estimated 3,271 excess deaths in England and Wales during the summer heatwaves as temperatures soared to 40C for the first time since records began, analysis showed. At least a dozen people drowned in July 2022 alone from taking dips in the open water.
UKHSA chief scientific officer Isabel Oliver previously said: "These estimates show clearly that high temperatures can lead to premature death for those who are vulnerable. Higher excess deaths occurred during the hottest days this year and a warming climate means we must adapt to living safely with hotter summers in the future.
"Prolonged periods of hot weather are a particular risk for elderly people, those with heart and lung conditions or people who are unable to keep themselves cool such as people with learning disabilities and Alzheimer’s disease."
The Mirror contacted Lancashire Police for a statement:
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