First picture of ‘beautiful’ girl, 15, who died in river at village duck race
A 15-year-old girl who died after getting into difficulty in the water at a village event has been remembered as a ‘beautiful girl’ with the ‘kindest soul’.
Abbie Walton went into the River Etherow in the village of Broadbottom, near Manchester, shortly after an annual duck race and barbecue yesterday evening.
Emergency services rushed to the scene to search the river at around 7.50pm and she was pulled from the water.
But despite the best efforts of a medical team, the teenager could not be saved.
It’s not known if she jumped into the water on purpose or fell in, but police say they don’t believe there are any suspicious circumstances.
Her death comes less than a year after Lucy Smith, another student from the same school as Abbie, died in a water-related tragedy.
Copley Academy said it has been ‘made aware of the tragic news that one of our students lost their life last night’.
The school said in a statement: ‘We offer our deepest sympathy to all of those involved in this tragedy.
‘Our hearts and thoughts go out to the families, loved ones, friends and local communities affected at this extremely sad time.
‘Copley would like to offer our support and also the support of a specialist team.’
Heartbroken friends have been paying tribute to Abbie on social media, with one writing: ‘Rest in paradise to the kindest soul I know.
‘I will forever cherish the time and memories we had. You were always putting a smile on my face. I love you with all of my heart, my angel.’
Another wrote: Rest in paradise my lifelong best friend always, forever 15. I’m so sorry, it’s a really cruel world and it took you way too early.
‘I will miss you beautiful girl. You really did not deserve this you had the most pure soul and loved everyone so much.’
Detective superintendent Rebecca Boyce said: ‘Yesterday evening’s events are nothing short of devasting and my deepest sympathies are with the loved ones of the girl who lost her life in such awful circumstances.’
Young Lucy Smith drowned in August last year after trying to help a friend who got into difficulty at an angling pond in Stalybridge, around six miles from where Abbie died.
Detective inspector Steven Horton told an inquest it had been a particularly hot day and the group started playing in the water, but things ‘very suddenly’ went wrong.
He said: ‘They were playing and dancing in the water and everyone was in good spirits. Phone footage taken at the time all supports that they were in the water having a good time.
‘They were all playing in the water when one of her friends got into difficulty and Lucy had gone to try and assist her.’
Coroner, Christopher Morris, gave a conclusion of Lucy’s death being a ‘tragic accident’.
Longdendale councillor, Jacqueline Owen, issued a warning to the community, urging all young people wanting to swim to use public pools, as she highlighted the dangers of open water swimming.
She said: ‘On behalf of the Longdendale ward councillors, I would like to extend our condolences to the family, friends and the whole Broadbottom community, following the tragic incident yesterday evening. We are all shocked to hear about this terrible loss.
‘Sadly, this is not the first death of a young person in the River Etherow. We would use all young people wanting to swim to use public pools; as open water swimming can be very hazardous.’
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