The leader of a local council has issued a grim warning after a teenage girl died while swimming with friends.
The 15-year-old girl died at Car Mill Dam after having trouble in the water. Her friends alerted the emergency services at around 12.30pm on Thursday, June 1.
A team of police, fire crews, and an underwater search and rescue team carried out a search of the waters, with the girl's body later being recovered. The incident has sparked St Helen's council leader David Baines to urge people of the hidden dangers of swimming, the Liverpool Echo reports.
He said: "On behalf of everyone at St Helens Borough Council, we offer our sincere condolences to the family and friends of the teenage girl who sadly lost her life at Carr Mill Dam yesterday.
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"Whilst we wait for the full facts to be established of what caused this tragedy, we would urge all residents to be aware of the very real dangers of swimming in open water.
"The water hides many hazards such as debris, weeds and reeds, as well as being extremely cold. We will be continuing to work together with local emergency services to help educate young people on the dangers that open water can pose to help keep them safe."
Merseyside Police Chief Inspector for St Helens 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."
Hundreds of people have left tributes to the teenager on social media. Pauline Smith commented: "My heart goes out too the family! So heart breaking, supposed to be a nice place the dam look how sad it is now. Sleep tight beautiful you didn’t deserve to go."
Lynne Sampson said: "Fly high angel my thoughts and prayers are with your heartbroken family." A third, Diane Parker added: "So heart breaking, RIP, beautiful angel, condolences to family and friends of the poor young lady."
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