A TEENAGER from Farndon has drowned while on holiday with his family in the United States.

Mckinley Day, 14, died in the Beaver River, Croghan, upstate New York, on Friday afternoon.

His parents Lesley and Adam posted a message on his Facebook page which said: “To all Mckinley’s friends. We are devastated to tell you our son sadly passed away while on holiday in USA.

“We will always love and miss you.

“We shall inform you all later of any funeral details.”

Dozens of friends have paid tribute to Mckinley, believed to be a pupil at Bishop Heber High School in Malpas, on a Facebook page set up in his memory.

Carmen Partington said: “RIP Mckinley. You will be missed so much by your friends and family. I went through primary school with you and I will miss you.”

Sophie Williams wrote: “Rest in peace Mckinley, we’ve spoken a few times and I’m so sad that this has happened to such a lovely, good hearted person. You will never be forgotten by anyone and we will remember you with fond memories, sleep well.”

The website of the Watertown Daily Times newspaper, which covers northern New York, said McKinley was canoeing in a quiet pool with his younger brother and a friend.

It said he called for help after getting into difficulties and was found minutes later by Thomas Wright, an off-duty Idaho state trooper, and his niece, Elizabeth Wright, a trained lifeguard.

Efforts to revive him were unsuccessful and he was later pronounced dead at nearby Lewis County General Hospital.

A Foreign and Commonwealth Office spokesman said: “We are aware of the death of a British national in Croghan on  August 12.

“We are providing consular assistance. The death involved a minor.”

Mckinley had been on holiday with his mother and younger brother, Mitchell.