Girl dies in river near Kingsbury Water Park

A teenage girl has sadly died after getting into difficulty in a river near Kingsbury Water Park.

Concerns were raised for a girl in the River Tame on Bodymoor Heath Lane in Kingsbury just before 6.10pm last night (Monday).

We attended along with Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service, West Midlands Ambulance Service, and the National Police Air Service (NPAS).

After around an hour of searches, the body of a 16-year-old girl was recovered from the river. Her next of kin has been informed and they are being supported by specially-trained officers.

Local Area Commander for North Warwickshire, Chief Inspector Ben Hembry, said: “This is a tragic accident, and our thoughts remain with the girl’s family and friends at this difficult time.

“We appreciate the impact it will have on them, so we’d ask people to avoid speculating about what happened on social media.

“We’ll have officers from our Safer Neighbourhood Teams in the area over the coming days as we carry out enquiries. Please speak to them if you have any questions.

“We know it’s hot and it can be tempting to try and cool off, but there are many dangers below the surface of the water including sudden drops, poor visibility and discarded objects that could trap or injure people.

“Equally, when the temperatures are high, the water can still be cold and cause your body to go into shock while currents may be stronger than you realise – making it hard for even the best swimmers.

“Please only swim in designated open water areas that are supervised.”

For more information and guidance, visit the RLSS website: The Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK)

Issued: LM, Communications and Engagement