Footage of Frank Varey enjoying himself with friends just hours before his tragic death has now emerged.
The highly-rated 16-year-old boxing talent tragically died on Thursday while swimming in the River Dee in Handbridge, just south of Chester.
Manchester Evening News report that following a huge search for the teenager, police found a body at around 11pm last night.
In footage posted to his 20.7k followers on Instagram, Varey tagged himself at ‘Chester River front, with footage showing friends diving into the water.
The heartbreaking news comes as Greater Manchester Police have reminded people to stay out of the water during the current heatwave.
“In this hot weather please don't be tempted to swim in reservoirs,” GMP said earlier this week.
“We've had numerous reports that there are large groups of youths swimming in Dovestone reservoir.
“If your child has been or is planning on going please educate them of the dangers.”
The Canal and Rivers Trust ‘strongly advises’ against going into water, as ‘there are too many risks that you can't see hidden below the surface’.
Those risks include depth, disease, and hidden dangers like vegetation.
That’s alongside the risk of freezing temperatures which can cause blood to rush away from the muscles to protect the organs, causing muscles to become quickly fatigued.
Heavyweight champion Tyson Fury has led the tributes from the boxing world labelling him “a future world champ”.
Varey had represented England at the European Junior Championships in 2019 and won several National Championships titles.
England talent coach John Stubbs said: “Frank was a larger than life character.
"I’ve never met anyone that could lose a hotel key 27 times in the first two days of the trip, or anyone with the pre-bout ritual he had.
“No boy should lose their life at 16. This is a sad day for the boxing community and my thoughts are with big Frank and the family.”
Shinley Singh, another England Talent coach added: "Absolutely heartbroken even writing this. The absolute bundle of life Frank Varey taken from us.
"Only yesterday he was in the gym looking a million dollars and there was no doubt in my mind that he was going to smash the Euro selections. He was the life of the gym and lit up the room.
“There was no doubt in my mind he was going to do great things and in such a small amount of time he made made such a big impact and will be greatly missed.”
A spokesperson for Cheshire Coroner's Court confirmed a file relating to Mr Varey's death had been passed to the coroner.
