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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Ellen Kirwin & Susie Beever

Heartbroken mum says life 'won't be the same' after teen dies during swim with friends

Tributes have been paid to a teenage girl with her "whole life ahead of her" after she died in a tragic lake incident.

Kirsty Madden lost her daughter, Erin, after she died getting into trouble at Carr Mill Dam near St Helen's, Merseyside, on Thursday.

The mum said the 15-year-old was "capable of anything" in a heartbreaking tribute.

"My girl had her whole life ahead of her she was capable of anything and it's all been ripped away," said Ms Madden, in an emotional post online.

"We are all devastated beyond words and my life will never be the same again.

"I love you Erin with my heart and soul forever and always."

Erin tragically lost her life after getting into difficulty in the water (Liverpool Echo)

Ms Madden posted in response to a statement from St Helen's Council after the authority shared a warning not to go into open water following the tragic news.

"This dam needs draining my daughter lost her life in there yesterday.

"How many more times does this need to keep happening to children until something is done.

Emergency services were called to the reservoir on Thursday, with Merseyside Police confirming the body of a teenage girl was recovered from the water.

Erin had been swimming with friends at the time when she got into difficulty, Liverpool ECHO reports.

Her friends called for help at around 12.30pm and search teams entered the water in attempts to find her.

Search teams were sent into the water (PA)

Flowers have been left at the scene and hundreds of people have also expressed their condolences and heartbreak online.

A fundraising page sharing pictures of Erin has also been set up by Toni Ward, who posted that she was a friend of the family and described Erin as "a beautiful soul."

She said: "My friend and her family lost their beautiful daughter, granddaughter, sister and friend due to a tragic accident that should never have happened.

"She had the rest of her life to look forward to she was a beautiful soul inside and out she be gone but never forgotten."

Erin had her 'whole life' to look forward to (Liverpool Echo)

Among hundreds of people posting tributes on the ECHO's Facebook page, Lily Abbott-Potter said: "Fly high, forever 15 but will always be in your family’s hearts.

"You will never be forgotten Erin."

Another, Aleesha Woods added: "Sleep tight my beautiful angel."

A third, Olivia Sutton said: "Poor Erin, RIP. You were amazing, we're all looking up on you."

Sarah Purchase commented: "Rest in paradise. My candle is burning for you an your family tonight. Forever 15 sweetheart."

Emergency services at the scene (Liverpool Echo)

Casey Jade Lane commented: "Forever be missed Erin. I miss you so much, only seen you once on the day out but you were so kind and sweet and caring your the kindest girl I have ever met. Miss you always Erin forever 15."

Donna Louise wrote: "Suddenly my nearly 15yr old daughter's messy bedroom doesn’t seem that important. Thoughts are with Erin’s family, friends and those rescue workers."

Merseyside Police Chief Inspector for St Helens Paul Holden said: "It is with great sadness that we can confirm that the body of the teenage girl has been recovered from the water.

"Our sincere condolences go to her family and friends during this tragic time.

"I would appeal to anyone who was visiting Carr Mill Dam at around midday onwards to please get in touch so we can ascertain what happened and provide her family with answers."

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