A mother has penned a heartbreaking tribute to her teenage daughter who drowned swimming in a reservoir in front of her friends.
Erin Madden’s body was found in Carr Mill Dam, in St Helens, Merseyside, at roughly 12.30pm on Thursday after reports she, “got into distress” while swimming with friends, police said.
Her mother Kirsty, who highlighted safety concerns around the dam, said she hated the idea of leaving Erin alone after the tragedy.
She wrote on Facebook: “I would just like to [thank] all the emergency services that were present and who tried to help my beautiful girl on Thursday.
“Secondly the community of St Helens. We have been absolutely blown away by the support, donations and messages.
“Family and friends have been unbelievably supportive through this heartbreaking time and we can’t thank anybody enough.
“There are no words to describe the pain and emptiness I am feeling right now. Every day feels like a week and I hate leaving my baby girl Erin alone.”
In a comment on the council’s page, Ms Madden added: “This dam needs draining my daughter lost her life in there. How many more times does this need to keep happening to children until something is done.
“My girl had her whole life ahead of her she was capable of anything and it’s all been ripped away. We are all devastated beyond words and my life will never be the same again. I love you Erin with my heart and soul forever and always.”
A witness, Adele Laitak, said she had heard a girl shouting. “It sounded to me like she was saying ‘help’,” she said. “It sounded like she was in distress but we couldn’t see anything from where we were. As we came round, we saw fire engines.”
She added: “Some women told us two children had gone into the water but one had managed to get out.”
The principal of Outwood Academy in Haydock also shared a tribute to Erin describing her as a “fantastic” student with an “amazing sense of humour”.
In a letter to parents, Phil Abram said: “As a school community, we are devastated by the loss of one of our students, Erin Madden.
“Erin was a kind and considerate student. She had an amazing sense of humour and was strong and loyal to those around her.
“Erin was ambitious and keen to do well in her studies. Such a tragedy is hard to comprehend and our whole community is mourning the loss of a caring and fantastic young lady.
“Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with Erin’s family and friends at this difficult time.”
A GoFundMe page, set up by family friend Toni Ward, has raised over £4,500. It described Erin as “a beautiful soul.”
Merseyside Fire and Rescue’s Mark Thomas warned of the dangers of swimming in open water during the summer months. He said: “Sadly, there have been several recent water-related fatalities across the UK. We would urge people to make sure they are aware of the very real dangers involved and learn the importance of knowing what to do in an emergency.
“Understanding the dangers of open water, as well as knowing what to do if you or someone else is in danger in the water, is life-saving information. We’d also encourage parents and caregivers to take the time to speak to younger people about this vital water safety advice.”
The tribute came as an inquest into the deaths of two young people from drowning heard there was a “suggestion” that they got into difficulty by getting caught in a riptide in the sea off Bournemouth beach.
Joe Abbess, 17, from Southampton, and Sunnah Khan, 12, from Buckinghamshire, were rescued from the sea during the incident on Wednesday, but both died in hospital.
Rachael Griffin, senior coroner for Dorset, said: “I understand there is an ongoing police investigation, despite that, I have already submitted the appropriate paperwork and released both Joe’s and Sunnah’s bodies for the purposes of their funerals.
“I would like to take this opportunity to offer my sincere condolences to Joe and Sunnah’s families, my thoughts are very much with them at this difficult time following this tragedy.”
Ms Griffin adjourned the hearing until a pre-inquest review to be held on September 18.
In 2022, 226 accidental drownings occurred in the UK. Nearly half (46 %) took place in the three summer months of June, July and August, when the UK experienced record temperatures , and 60% took place in inland water, such as reservoirs, rivers and canals, according to the latest statistics from the National Water Safety Forum.
