Nepal UK
Picture Credit: BBC
STOKE-ON-TRENT – A four-year-old girl has tragically passed away after a serious incident at the Waterworld aqua park in Hanley. The news has sent shockwaves through the community, with the leisure attraction closing its doors out of respect for the child and her family.
The tragic events unfolded on Monday afternoon when emergency services were called to the popular indoor water park. According to Staffordshire Police, a call was received at around 4:20 PM BST reporting a girl in a critical condition. Waterworld staff and paramedics from the West Midlands Ambulance Service immediately began treating the child at the scene. Despite their best efforts and the continued care she received after being rushed to the hospital, she died a short time later.
Waterworld confirmed in a public statement that the incident took place in the Lagoon area of its Aqua Park. The girl was found unconscious by lifeguards and management teams, who promptly administered CPR and alerted emergency services. As the rescue operation was underway, all other visitors were asked to leave the pool quietly.
The girl's family has been informed of her passing and is being supported by specially-trained officers during this incredibly difficult time. Detective Chief Inspector Lucy Maskew from Staffordshire Police has asked the public to refrain from speculating about what happened, as a full investigation is now underway to determine the exact circumstances of the incident.
Waterworld has announced that it will remain closed on Tuesday as a mark of respect. They have also stated that all pre-booked tickets for the day will be automatically refunded. The company is cooperating fully with the police investigation and has requested that the public avoid contacting the site during this sensitive period.
Anyone who was a witness to the incident or has any information that could assist the police is urged to contact Staffordshire Police by calling 101 and quoting incident number 460 of 4 August.
(Sources: Staffordshire Police, Waterworld Leisure Resort, BBC News, Sky News, The Guardian, The Independent.)