Girl dies after being pulled from Yorkshire’s River Wharfe
Police tape at a scene (Peter Byrne/PA) (PA)
A 13-year-old girl tragically died in hospital after being reported missing in the River Wharfe, near Burnsall in the Yorkshire Dales, on Sunday evening.
She was rescued from the water a short time after her disappearance was reported at 6.30pm and transported to hospital by air ambulance, but sadly succumbed despite efforts from members of the public.
North Yorkshire Police confirmed the death, extending their thoughts to the family and thanking those who assisted at the scene, while local MP Julian Smith also expressed his condolences.
This incident contributes to at least 15 water-related deaths recorded during a recent heatwave across the UK, with other recent fatalities including a 15-year-old girl in Merseyside and a woman in her 60s in Lancashire.
Water safety experts have issued warnings about the dangers of outdoor swimming, particularly highlighting the risk of cold water shock, even when air temperatures are high, as water bodies may remain very cold.
