The Waugh family suffered a devastating loss on July 18, 2022. Kalen Waugh, a 16-year-old who attended New Park School in Salford and was finishing up his GCSEs before enrolling in Salford College’s Multi-Trade program last fall, never made it. Everything Kalen had ever dreamed of, however, was lost when he and his friends went swimming during the heatwave that had gripped the United Kingdom. Vickyy Waugh, Kalen’s grieving mother, addressed the neighborhood following her son’s untimely death.
The following month will mark one year after the tragic event. Vickyy Waugh, still reeling over the loss of her son, took to social media to express her worries for the local community.
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The swimming session that took her beloved son away from her
The UK had a heatwave in July of last year. In such situations, everyone looks for ways to cool off, whether by participating in water sports or simply enjoying a dip in their own pool. At the age of 16, Kalen Waugh and his friends braved the warmth by cooling off in the water at Salford Quays in Greater Manchester. But poor Kalen had no idea what time had in store for him. According to a July report from the Greater Manchester Police, after a massive search effort, the teen’s corpse was found the same evening and was retrieved the next day. Since then, officials have urged residents to take extra precautions when it comes to their children.
Since the beginning of May, 12 young people throughout the UK have died while swimming in open water, despite warnings from authorities. And as the first anniversary of Kalen Waugh’s death draws near, his mother has taken to Facebook to express her worst fears. In the Facebook post, Vickky conveys, saying, “I seriously beg you all please don’t do it…. find other ways to chill in the sun.”
In addition, she brings up “kalens mates” because they are locals and hence close to the scene of the tragedy. Vickyy’s worries are well-founded; her kid, who had many hopes and a bright future ahead of him, was taken away from her in the span of a few seconds of fun.
Left his close ones broken and concerned
As per The Mirror, when describing Kalen, his school said he was “a cheeky chappy who certainly kept staff on their toes” in a statement made after his untimely demise. The school headteacher, Almut Bever-Warren, also remarked on the loss of his “very popular” pupil.
The headteacher also noted that the parents of the Year 11 pupils that Kalen had been with that night had been alerted to be concerned. Instead of holding an assembly, Bever-Warren broke the news to her students in individual classes. She was rather forthright in her explanation to her class of “what it was like waiting with mum for the body to be retrieved.” According to the headteacher, her students paid close attention to what she had to say about this tragedy.
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Written by
Edited by
Anupama Ghosh