Teenage girl dies while swimming in St Helens dam

Following reports of a concern for safety of teenage girl who was reported to be in distress in the water while swimming in Carr Mill Dam today, Thursday 1 June, Merseyside Police have confirmed that a body has now been recovered.

Emergency services (Merseyside Police, Merseyside Fire and Rescue and North West Ambulance Service) were called to Carr Mill Dam at around 12.30pm.

On arrival a number of officers entered the water in a bid to find the 15-year-old girl who had been swimming with friends when she got into difficulty. They were also joined by firefighters from Merseyside Fire and Rescue.

Unfortunately, despite their best efforts the search has now culminated in the recovery of the teenager’s body.

Next of kin have been made aware and specialist family liaison officers will provide the family with support. The death is not being treated as suspicious and a file is being prepared for the Coroner.

We would still urge anyone who was in the area at the time to please contact us so we can establish what has happened.

Chief inspector Paul Holden said: “It is with great sadness that we can confirm that the body of the teenage girl has been recovered from the water. Our sincere condolences go to her family and friends during this tragic time.

“I would appeal to anyone who was visiting Carr Mill Dam at around midday onwards to please get in touch so we can ascertain what happened and provide her family with answers.”

"When the schools return for the summer term our schools officers will work with St Helens Council to ensure that we are able to educate young people about the dangers of water. We know how tempting it can be to cool down in the water on a hot summers day, but we want to ensure that young people are equipped with the right knowledge to keep them safe around water."

St Helens Area Manager for Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service, Kevin Longshaw, said: “Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service mobilised four fire engines at 12.30pm to reports of a young person who had come into difficulty in the water at Carr Mill Dam.

""Firefighters in water kit entered the dam to search. They were assisted with an airborne drone and an underwater drone.

"Working jointly with our police and ambulance colleagues, we were able to establish the location of the young person and tragically were able to confirm that a body was recovered shortly after.

Our thoughts are very much with the family and all those affected by this tragic incident.”

Anyone with information is asked to DM @MerPolCC or @CrimestoppersUK on 0800 555 111 quoting reference 466 of 1 June.

If you're heading to the beach, a lake or reservoir to cool off in this warm weather, please remember to be water aware. Safety advice is available online from Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service here https://www.merseyfire.gov.uk/safety-advice/community-safety/water-safety/ and the RNLI here https://rnli.org/safety/float

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