Four-year-old girl dies following incident at Waterworld park
She was treated at the scene before being taken to hospital
Last updated 5th Aug 2025
A young girl has died following an incident at a swimming pool in Hanley.
Police were called to Waterworld on Festival Way at around 4:20pm today (4 August) to reports of a girl, aged four, in a critical condition.
Waterworld staff and colleagues from the West Midlands Ambulance Service treated the girl at the scene before paramedics took her to hospital for further treatment. Despite the best efforts of hospital staff, the girl died a short while later.
Officers say the girl’s next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specially-trained officers.
Detective Chief Inspector Lucy Maskew from Staffordshire Police said: “Our thoughts are with the family at this terribly sad time. We are now making enquiries and looking to establish the circumstances of the incident. We would ask that members of the public avoid speculating in these early stages of the investigation and allow the family to grieve.”
A Waterworld spokesperson said: 'Waterworld is deeply saddened to confirm that a fatal incident occurred at 4:15pm on Monday, August 4th, in the Lagoon area of the Aqua Park.
A girl of 4 years old was found unconscious and treated on Poolside by our Lifeguard & Management teams on site. They immediately provided CPR and called the emergency services, who arrived around 4:20pm. All other visitors were asked to quietly leave the pool out of respect for the rescue operation underway, and we would like to thank them for their support and collaboration.
It is with great sadness that we learned of this young girl’s passing later this evening. All our thoughts are with her family and loved ones during these extremely difficult times.
The authorities were immediately alerted and Waterworld is working closely and openly with them to precisely understand the circumstances of this tragic accident. Waterworld is in shock and has decided to remain closed tomorrow out of respect for the young girl’s family."
Stoke-on-Trent City Council has confirmed it is investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of the four-year-old girl.
Councillor Steve Watkins, the Lord Mayor of Stoke-on-Trent, today issued a statement paying tribute to the girl who died on behalf of the city.
"We were all devastated to hear of the death of a four-year-old girl at Waterworld," he said. "This is a terrible tragedy and our thoughts are with her family and loved ones."
Anyone who may have witnessed the incident or has knowledge of it is asked to call the police on 101 quoting incident number 460 of 4 August.