Chad Salisbury

The family of the 18-year-old paddler who died in Ullswater at the weekend say they are devastated at the death of a son who was ‘frightened of nothing’.

Chad Salisbury of Leyland, Lancashire, died when he failed to resurface after his kayak capsized on the lake near Pooley Bridge on Saturday afternoon. Police divers found his body 12 hours later in the early hours of Sunday.

Mr Salisbury’s family said, in a statement: “Chad was a much loved and well liked lad. He was outgoing, loud and very popular in the Leyland area. He was a typical 18-year-old – frightened of nothing, knew his own mind and always up for a challenge.

“He loved motorbikes and cars – he was always taking things to bits – but whether he could put them back together was another thing.

“He brought joy to so many people in his short life and we are all devastated by this tragic event. We would like to thank all the emergency services and members of the public who helped in the search for our boy – in particular the police underwater search and rescue team who worked through the night and into the early hours to find him.”

A spokesperson for Cumbria Constabulary said there were no suspicious circumstances and they were investigating Mr Salisbury’s death on behalf of the coroner.

Any witnesses to the incident are asked to contact Penrith police on 0845 33 00 247 if they have any information.