The family of a 15-year-old boy who drowned after getting into difficulty in the water at a country park have paid an emotional tribute to their “baby, brother and best friend”.
Leon Pafu Ngoy died after emergency services were called to reports of teenagers struggling in the water at Clifton Country Park in Swinton, Greater Manchester.
Greater Manchester Police has now released a tribute from Leon’s family, who described him as the “heart” of their family, as reported by Need To Know.
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They said: “Leon was our baby, our brother, our best friend and the heart of our family.
“He was kind, respectful, thoughtful and loved by everyone who knew him.
“No matter where he went, Leon brought energy, laughter and happiness.
“People will always remember his infectious smile, his sense of humour and the way he treated others with kindness and compassion.”
Leon had recently completed his GCSEs and was looking forward to the future.
His family said he loved basketball, fashion and music, as well as spending time with relatives and friends.
They added: “He had big ambitions and dreams he was looking forward to pursuing.”
The family said they had been overwhelmed by the support they had received since Leon’s death.
“As a family, we are devastated by his loss,” they said.
“The support we have received from relatives, friends and our community has meant so much to us during this incredibly difficult time.”
They also stressed that nobody was responsible for what happened.
“We want people to know that nobody was to blame for what happened,” they said.
“It was a tragic accident that has changed our lives forever.”
In a heartfelt plea, Leon’s family urged others not to take risks around open water.
They said: “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 Clifton Country Park that day, he would still be with us.
“In sharing Leon’s story, we hope that other families never have to experience the unimaginable pain and heartbreak that we are living through.
“Leon was deeply loved, and we will carry his memory with us always.”
A fundraising appeal has also been launched to help Leon’s family with funeral costs and to support his mother and two sisters.
The appeal describes Leon as “a happy, energetic, caring, kind, bubbly person” who “was always smiling even till the very end”.
At the time of writing, more than £5,600 had been raised towards a £7,000 target through over 240 donations.
Emergency services were called to Clifton Country Park on Saturday, 27 June, following reports that teenagers had got into difficulty in the water.
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