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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Danya Bazaraa

Liquid Leisure Water Park: Girl, 11, dies after vanishing 'during birthday party'

A young girl has sadly died after getting into difficulties at a water park, police have confirmed.

Thames Valley Police said: "Tragically, an 11-year-old girl has died at hospital after getting into difficulties at Liquid Leisure near Datchet this afternoon.

"Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this time and we ask their privacy is respected."

A witness said she went missing while at the park for a friend's birthday party.

The unnamed mum, who had been at the park with her children, told Sky News the girl was seen going under the water and "didn't come back up".

She said: "At that point, the lifeguards came running. She was with a group of friends for a girl's birthday."

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Emergency services at the scene (Sky News)

Emergency services including a police helicopter, an air ambulance and a boat for search and rescue were at the scene on Saturday afternoon, another witness said.

Thames Valley Police was called at around 3.55pm to reports of the young girl in difficulties at the water park in Berkshire.

Officers worked with Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service, Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service, Surrey Fire and Rescue Service and South Central Ambulance Service to respond immediately to the report and an extensive search began, with support from the National Police Air Service (NPAS).

A girl was found at around 5.10pm and taken to Wexham Park Hospital, where she sadly died.

The girl’s death is being treated as unexplained and an investigation has been launched.

Witnesses said they were told to leave the park (UkNewsinPictures)

Although formal identification has yet to take place, the girl’s next of kin have been informed and they are being offered support by officers.

It was earlier reported that members of the public were asked to call the girl's name and staff asked customers for goggles to search for her underwater.

One witness said the lifeguards were working "incredibly hard."

"After about 30 minutes, we were asked to leave the beach, just as the ambulance and fire crew arrived at the site," they said.

"I saw one of the adults from the group which the girl had been with, and I asked if I could do anything to help, and she just asked that I prayed for her."

An air ambulance was called to the scene this afternoon (Sky News)

Local policing area commander for Windsor and Maidenhead, Superintendent Michael Greenwood, said: “My thoughts are with the family and friends of the girl who has died as a result of this tragic incident.

“We are in the early stages of investigating this incident to understand the full circumstances

“There was a swift response from all emergency services and following an extensive search of the lake, the girl, who was 11, was located at around 5.10pm and taken to hospital but sadly died.

“This has been an extremely traumatic and upsetting incident for all involved.

“I am aware that several members of the public entered the lake shortly after the girl got into difficultly, but were unable to locate her.

“I would like to commend them for their courage and bravery.

“My sincere condolences are with the girl’s family and friends, and I would ask that their privacy is respected at this incredibly traumatic and distressing time for them.”

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