Teenage boy who drowned in Clifton Country Park named as Leon Pafu Ngoy
Family pays tribute following tragic accident
A teenage boy who drowned at Clifton Country Park in Swinton last month has been named as Leon Pafu Ngoy.
Emergency services were alerted to reports of teenagers in difficulty in the water on Saturday 27th June.
Leon’s family have paid a heartfelt tribute to him, describing him as their cherished son, brother, nephew, and friend.
"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," said his family.
They went on to recall his infectious smile, his sense of humour, and his kindness and compassion.
Leon had recently completed his GCSEs and was looking forward to future endeavours, including his interests in basketball, fashion, and music.
The statement continued, emphasising the family's devastation: "The support we have received from relatives, friends and our community has meant so much to us during this incredibly difficult time."
The family stressed that the incident was a tragic accident and urged people to be cautious around water. "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."
They expressed hope that sharing Leon's story would prevent similar tragedies, “In sharing Leon's story, we hope that other families never have to experience the unimaginable pain and heartbreak that we are living through.”