Latest news with #EmilisVanagas
Daily Mail
13 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Tributes to tragic teenager who died in river tragedy during weekend's heatwave
The grieving mother of a teenager whose body was pulled from a river during the weekend heatwave last night said her 'heart was broken'. Emilis Vanagas, 15, was one of five people to lose their life as temperatures soared above 30C and thousands flocked to beauty spots across Scotland. The youngster's body was pulled from Glasgow 's River Kelvin after emergency services were called to the spot, near Maryhill Road, at about 6.40pm on Saturday. A major search and rescue operation was launched, but the schoolboy's body was found in the waterway around five hours later. Tributes have now been paid to the youngster who had only just celebrated his birthday. Mother Daiva Daivute paid her respects to the son she lost on social media, and said: 'My heart is broken, my dear son. 'Always remembered, never forgotten. Forever 15.' The devastated parent, who said it was 'hard to live without him' and that she would do 'anything to have him back in our lives' added: 'I miss him so much. He always cared about everyone around him - he always was nice with everyone. 'We are all going to keep him deep in our hearts and his will never be forgotten.' Aunt Patrycja Majewska said the youngster had just celebrated his 15th birthday and had the 'whole of his life ahead of him'. She said: 'His parents tragically got the news on Saturday that they found Emilis in the river close to their house. 'Unfortunately he was pronounced dead at the scene. 'His parents are devastated after this tragic loss.' Many others paid their respects to the well-liked teen, telling of their devastation. And G20 Youth Project, a local community group, also paid tribute. A spokesman said: 'Our community is mourning the loss of a 15-year-old boy whose life was taken far too soon. 'As you can imagine, no family is ever prepared for something like this.' The circumstances behind how the teenager, known as Emz, ended up in the water remain unclear. A Police Scotland spokesman said inquiries into the death were ongoing but that it was not being treated as suspicious. He added: 'Around 6.40pm on July 12 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.' In a bid to raise money for Emilis's funeral, Ms Majewska has set up an online fundraising page. As of last night it has raised more than £2,900 as hundreds of people gave money to the cause. Four others died in Scotland at the weekend as temperatures shot up to their hottest in more than two years. A 50-year-old man died on Sunday after being pulled from Loch Lomond the day before, while a 63-year-old woman was pronounced dead after falling at the Campsie Glen waterfall. Meanwhile a motorcyclist was killed in a six-vehicle pile-up on the main route to the Highlands. The 71-year-old biker was pronounced dead after the crash on the A82 northbound, between Renton and Balloch, on Saturday. Another motorcyclist, aged 65, lost his life the following day after a crash with a car on the A85 near Lochewe.
Daily Record
20 hours ago
- Daily Record
Mum of boy who died in River Kelvin pays tribute to 'forever 15' son
Emilis Vanagas died in the river in Glasgow on July 12. The mum of a teenage boy who died in a river in Glasgow said "her heart is broken" in a moving tribute to her son. Emilis Vanagas, 15, died in the River Kelvin near Maryhill Road on July 12. Emergency services including a rescue helicopter were called to the river in the west of the city at 6.40pm. The schoolboy was pulled from the water after a five-hour search. His death is not being treated as suspicious. His mum Daiva Daivute, from Maryhill, led the tributes to her son who had celebrated his 15th birthday last month. She said: "My heart is broken, my dear son. "I am very proud of him, the light of my life that went out too soon. "We are very sad that his life ended so tragically. He still had a lot to do in his life, we will miss him very much. "I would do anything to get him back in our lives. "Always re membered and never forgotten. Forever 15." The circumstances behind how the teenager, known as "Emz" to pals, ended up in the water remain unclear. Devastated loved ones took to social media to hail the youngster "a hero". Emilis' aunt, Ema Kaftanikaitė said: "Our family is heartbroken. We lost my beloved nephew Emilis far too soon – he was only 15 years old. "His life was full of love, laughter, and dreams that will now remain unfulfilled. No parent should ever have to bury their child. "We want to give him the farewell he deserves – with love, dignity, and peace. Rest in peace, sweet Emilis – we will never forget you." His aunt Patrycja Majewska said: "Emilis had just celebrated his 15th birthday and he had his whole of his life ahead of him. "His parents tragically got the news on Saturday and found Emilis in the river close to their house. "Unfortunately he was pronounced dead at the scene. He lost his life but saved two other lives and always will be remembered as a hero. "His parents are devastated after this tragic loss." His uncle Martinas Kaftanikas added: "Love you forever, my boy." Molly Gibbs said: "I am devastated with the news of what happened. "He was the sweetest boy ever and I can't believe he is gone. Everyone loved him and he died a hero." Sophia Moss Muir said: 'He was genuinely the nicest boy I've met."He was always making sure everyone was okay and died a hero.I can't believe he's gone." Michael Dorran said: "I was one Emilis' first pals when he moved to Cleveden. "I am devastated about this, and will do everything I can to make him proud up there."He'll never be forgotten. He'd always put others before himself and died a hero and will be remembered." Local youth project G20 also paid tribute to the youngster. They said: "Our community is mourning the loss of a 15-year-old boy whose life was taken far too soon. As you can imagine, no family is ever prepared for something like this." Family and friends will gather to remember the teen at a balloon release in the Celtic-daft teen's memory at the Stockingfield Bridge in Maryhill at 5:30pm on Saturday, July 19. Wellwishers have donated more than £2000 to a fundraiser to help his family with funeral costs. A spokesperson for Police Scotland 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.
Scottish Sun
20 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Boy who tragically drowned in Glasgow river on hottest day of the year hailed ‘a hero' as youngster named locally
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) 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. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Tributes have been paid to Emilis Vanagas who tragically drowned in the River Kelvin Credit: Gofundme 4 There was a largescale emergency response after the alarm was raised 4 A specialist water rescue unit was sent to the scene 4 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.
