13-Year-Old Girl Falls into Deep Reservoir While Taking Selfie with Dad Body Recovered After Heartbreaking Search
A family walk turned into a nightmare after a 13-year-old girl tragically plunged into a reservoir while taking a photo with her dad and was later found dead after an intense search operation.
The devastating incident happened at Baitings Dam near Ripponden in West Yorkshire, England, on the afternoon of Wednesday, May 28. Emergency services were called at around 1:17 PM after the young girl accidentally fell into the water during what was meant to be a happy half-term outing.
Witnesses say the teenager, who had just been accepted into a grammar school, was smiling and posing for a photo with her father when she suddenly slipped and fell off the parapet. It’s believed she dropped nearly 30 feet straight into the 140-feet-deep reservoir.
Rescue teams from police, fire, and ambulance services rushed to the scene, but despite their best efforts, the girl couldn’t be located on the first day. Underwater search units continued their desperate efforts the following day.
Tragically, West Yorkshire Police confirmed on Thursday, May 29, that a body had been pulled from the water. While formal identification has not yet been made, her family has been informed.
Detective Inspector Laura Hall of the Calderdale Safeguarding Team said:
This is an incredibly sad case. Our thoughts are with the family as they face this unimaginable loss. We’re continuing to look into exactly what happened, but at this time we do not believe there’s anything suspicious about her death.
Local resident Sue Ferris, who witnessed the heartbreaking scene from her home, rushed to comfort the grieving family. She said the girl’s father appeared to suffer a heart issue and was seen holding his chest while shouting his daughter’s name. He was later taken away in an ambulance.
The poor girl was just taking photos with her dad she wanted to walk around the reservoir with him because of the school break. She had a bright future ahead of her,” Ferris shared tearfully.
She also pointed out the lack of safety equipment in the area, noting that no life buoys were visible near the parapet and that the railing design may actually make it easier for someone to climb and fall accidentally.
Police continued their search efforts late into Wednesday evening before finally locating the girl on Thursday. The local community is in shock over the tragedy, with many calling for improved safety measures around the popular reservoir.
