‘Nothing short of devastating’: Girl, 14, who died after getting into difficulty in Tameside water is identified
- Lucy Smith, 14, died after getting into difficulty in water in Tameside on Monday
- The teenager’s body was recovered from water in Stalybridge after a search
- A file in relation to Lucy’s death has been passed to the coroner, the court said
- Touching tributes for the teenager have been left at the scene near the water
A teenage girl who died after getting into difficulty in water in Tameside has been named as Lucy Smith.
The 14-year-old’s body was recovered from water near Crowswood Drive in Stalybridge after a huge search was launched on Monday night.
Specialist search teams from the fire service and Greater Manchester Police were deployed after the incident was reported at around 6.30pm.
Police said that her body was recovered overnight and was then formally identified.
Touching tributes for the teenager have been left at the scene near the bank of the water. Pictures taken today showed dozens of flowers, balloons and photos laid on the ground.
Stuffed teddies have also been left at the scene, as well as a sign that said ‘RIP Lucy’.
Touching tributes for Lucy Smith, 14, have been left at the scene near the bank of the water
Dozens of flowers, balloons and photos laid on the ground alongside stuffed teddies
The body of a teenager was pulled form the water near Cromswood Drive in Carrbrook, a village to the east of Stalybridge, overnight after reports of her getting into trouble in the water at 4;12pm
A spokesperson for the Manchester South Coroners’ Court has now confirmed that a file in relation to Lucy’s death has been passed to the coroner. An inquest will open at a later date.
Police said they did not believe there were any suspicious circumstances surrounding her death.
After the incident, Greater Manchester Police and the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service reiterated warnings for people not to swim in open water.
Detective Inspector Steven Horton, of GMP’s Tameside CID, said: ‘Yesterday evening’s events are nothing short of devastating and my thoughts are with the friends and family of the young girl who lost her life in such awful circumstances.
Tributes to the 14-year-old line the bank of the river where Lucy died
The North Ambulance Service (NWAS) sent ‘a number of resources’ including the Hazardous Area Response Team to the incident
Officers from Tameside CID said they are confident there are no suspicious circumstances following their initial inquiries
Emergecny services line the road as the searched for Lucy after she got into difficulty whilst swimming
‘We are doing all we can to support the girl’s family at this incredibly difficult time, and we are focused on ensuring they get the answers they deserve as to how this tragedy occurred.
‘From our enquiries so far, we are confident that there are no suspicious circumstances and that this is such a sad reminder of the dangers of entering open water, whatever the weather.’
A Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: ‘At around 6.30pm on Monday 15 August, firefighters were called out to Crowswood Drive, Carrbrook to reports of a girl getting into difficulty in the water.
‘A number of fire service teams, including a boat crew, under water drone and Technical Response Unit, worked with other emergency service search teams into the night at the scene.
‘Shortly before 11pm, a body was recovered from the water by a police diving team. The incident has now been handed over to Greater Manchester Police to investigate.
‘This is an absolutely heart-breaking incident. The thoughts of everyone at Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service are with the girl who has sadly lost her life, and her family and friends at this tragic time.
‘We urge everyone to be alert to the dangers of open water and to not jump into it or swim in it unless it’s an organised event.’
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