George Lund named as Leeds lad who died when canal…

George Lund named as Leeds lad who died when canal jump prank ends in tragedy

The family of a 14-year-old boy who drowned in a Leeds canal after jumping in as an Easter prank have made a heartbreaking tribute to their 'precious' lad.

George Lund, 14, jumped into the River Aire, Leeds, near to George Mann Road in Hunslet, after walking along the towpath with friends. His grandmother Sam Buckham who laid flowers at the spot this morning, (Easter Monday), said George jumped in the water as a prank thinking he would easily be able to get out of the cold water.

Mrs Buckham said he was trying to swim to a ladder but he was beaten by the current. She said he had jumped into the water as an Easter prank thinking he'd be able to get out quickly. She said: "He briefly came to the surface once and then sank below and his girlfriend called for help."

She said a barge had recently passed through the lock and a strong current had been created as the lock refilled with water, making it hard for George to swim to safety. Mrs Buckham added that he had been trying to get to a ladder which led from the water to the raised towpath, but he was beaten by the current.

"He briefly came to the surface once and then sank below and his girlfriend called for help," she said.

The Mirror has reported how George's mum Stacie Leigh Lund left a heartbreaking message paying tribute to her "precious baby boy" as she laid flowers at the lock on the canal. She also wrote on Facebook: "I love and miss you so much my gorgeous baby boy. I just need you back."

His aunt Samantha Lowe said her nephew's death was "traumatic and heartbreaking". One heartbreaking card read: "George Thomas Robert Lee Lund, I am so lost without you, my heart is broken, I love you all around the world and back again. Til we meet again. RIP."

Pals grew concerned after George disappeared from view (SWNS/William Lailey)

Friends have also paid tribute to the tragic teen on social media. One well-wisher wrote: "He was only 14, found his first love and everything. He had his life ahead of him. Gone too soon."

Another wrote: "Gone too soon. You were far too young and such a lovely young man. I hope you're at peace wherever you are, watching over your family."

A third added: "Wonderful and very polite lad, will be sadly missed. RIP young man. Much love to his family and girlfriend at this sad time."

And Auntie Jam said: "Yesterday was so traumatic and heartbreaking. As many of you know my nephew George tragically died. Stood watching the water specialists, paramedics and firefighters trying to find him under the water, hoping that he'd still be alive when they found him but sadly he wasn’t

"Having to see my mum and my sister break down, literally dropping to the floor with the heartache. It was awful they shouldn't have to be doing this

"He was only 14, found his first love and everything. Everytime I went to my mum's he would show me his school books and how well he was doing bless him. He had his life ahead of him.

"Gone too soon, R.I.P Smudgy Bum aka George! Auntie Jam loves you loads."

Saturday afternoon was gloriously sunny with temperatures reaching as high as 13C. West Yorkshire Police said that they received a concern for safety report regarding a male in the canal by Thwaite Lane in Hunslet on Saturday.

He was recovered from the water and received medical attention but was pronounced dead a short time later. His death is not being treated as suspicious.

A spokeswoman for the Force said: "At 4:32pm on Saturday, police received a concern for safety report for a male in the canal by Thwaite Lane, Leeds. Emergency services attended and recovered a teenage male from the water.

"He received medical attention at the scene but was sadly pronounced deceased a short time later. The death is not being treated as suspicious and a file has been prepared for the coroner."

Read next:

Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.

Already a member? Sign in here