Boy who tragically drowned in Glasgow river on hottest day of the year hailed ‘a hero' as youngster named locally
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A TEENAGER who tragically drowned in a Glasgow river has been hailed a "hero" as he has been named locally.
Emilis Vanagas, 15, passed away after getting into difficulty in the River Kelvin in the city's west end.
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Tributes have been paid to Emilis Vanagas who tragically drowned in the River Kelvin
Credit: Gofundme
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There was a largescale emergency response after the alarm was raised
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A specialist water rescue unit was sent to the scene
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Emilis was unable to be saved and the youngster was pronounced dead at the scene
Emergency crews rushed to the scene after the alarm was raised on Saturday night.
A major rescue operation on Kelvindale Road included police, firefighters and paramedics.
Specialist water rescue teams were also involved after the alarm was raised around 6.40pm.
But tragically, Emilis could not be saved and a body was found in the waterway around 11:30pm.
Tributes have been paid to the youngster, who, it is understood, only turned 15 last month.
In a post on social media, his bereaved mum wrote: "My heart is broken, my dear son. Always remember, never forgotten. Forever 15."
His aunt, Patrycja Majekska, said Emilis "had his whole life ahead of him" and "lost his life but saved two other lives and always will be remembered as a hero".
Other people shared their condolences, with one commenting: "You will always stay in my heart, my angel."
Another person said: "I'm so sorry. Thinking of you all. You are in my prayers."
A third wrote: "Thinking of you all at this tragic time."
Woman dies after tragic fall at busy Scots beauty spot in front of 'distraught' crowd
Cops launched a probe into the circumstances surrounding the tragedy and enquiries are ongoing.
But Emilis' death is not being treated as suspicious.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "Around 6.40pm on Saturday, 12 July, 2025, a search and rescue operation was launched following a report of a 15-year-old male in the River Kelvin, near Maryhill Road, Glasgow.
'Emergency services attended and around 11.30pm the body of a male was recovered from the water.
"Enquiries are ongoing, however, the death is not being treated as suspicious."
The tragedy came on the same day that people across the country flocked to beaches and beauty spots as the temperature reached more than 32C - the hottest day of the year so far.
Ms Majekska has set up a fundraiser to help raise money for Emilis' funeral costs.
The GoFundMe page has already raised more than £2,600.
Donations can be made here.
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