Grandparents have paid a loving tribute to their teenage grandson who died after accidentally falling from an aqueduct. 

Christopher ‘Kris’ McDowell, 18, of Coronation Street, Cefn Mawr, died  at Pontcysyllte Aqueduct at Trevor, near Llangollen, in the early hours of May 31. 

He leaves behind mother Sam, 45, father John, 45, sister Hannah, 20, his 20-month-old niece Freya, and grandparents Chris, 65, and Derek Withington, 68. 

Kris was a former student at Coleg Cambria in Wrexham and had been working at McDonald’s in Chirk while also volunteering at Splash Magic Leisure Centre in Plas Madoc where he recently qualified as a lifeguard. 

Before his funeral next week, his grandmother Chris Withington, of Short Lane, Newbridge, paid an emotional tribute to her grandson. 

“He was thoughtful, kind and always made us laugh,” she said. 

“He made a difference wherever he went. 

“The management at Splash Magic thought very highly of him.

“The chairman Darrell Wright said he gave him the job when he saw how the other boys listened to him. 

“The centre sponsored him to become a lifeguard and he still helped out there even when he got his job at McDonald’s.” 

Mrs Withington added staff at McDonald’s in Chirk were now raising money for a bench in memorial to Kris at the restaurant. 

She added: “Only the other day one of our neighbours stopped us and said Kris always had time for the elderly residents here. 

“He spoke to them in Welsh and they were very impressed that he was a fluent Welsh speaker at such a young age. 

“Kris is so sadly missed by everyone. It is such a waste, a tragic accident that could have been avoided. 

“He was very special, really special. We cannot blieve all the tributes we have received. 

“He was a lovely lad but we didn’t realise how lovely until now. 

“The family would like to say thank you to every single person who has paid tribute to Kris.” 

Mr McDowell’s funeral service will take place at 11am on Wednesday at St John’s Parish Church in Rhosymedre. 

There will be food provided afterwards at Splash Magic Leisure Centre. 

An inquest into his death was opened in Ruthin on Monday by John Gittins, coroner for North Wales East and Central. 

Scores of tributes have continued to be placed at Pontcysyllte Aqueduct in Kris’ memory. 

Cards, flowers and messages from family and friends line the top of the 120ft high Unesco World Heritage Site, as well as a uniform from Kris’ colleagues at McDonald’s in Chirk.