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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Susie Beever

Mum plans touching tribute to teen, 15, who died while swimming with friend in lake

The mum of a 15-year-old girl killed in a tragedy at a lake has planned to hold a touching tribute so her daughter's name is with her forever.

Kirsty Madden's daughter Erin died last week after going into Carr Mill Dam in St Helen's, Merseyside, with a friend.

Emergency services rushed to the scene on Thursday but were tragically unable to revive the teen.

Kirsty said Erin had "her whole life ahead of her" and described her as being "capable of anything".

The mum said she was now planning to get a tattoo as a lasting tribute to her daughter as she said the pain and emptiness had been indescribable.

Posting on her public Facebook page, Kirsty said: "Firstly I would just like to that all the emergency services that were present and who tried to help my beautiful girl on Thursday.

The death of the 15-year-old has left the community in shock (Liverpool Echo)

"Secondly the community of St Helens we have been absolutely blown away by the support, donations, messages.

"Family and friends have been unbelievably supportive through this heartbreaking time and we can't thank anybody enough.

"There are no words to describe the pain and emptiness I am feeling right now, everyday feels like a week and I hate leaving my baby girl Erin alone.

"Lastly can someone please fit me in for a tattoo ASAP I would like Erin's name and dates to pay tribute to my daughter. Thank you all again."

Following Thursday's tragic events, Ms Madden called for the reservoir to be drained, asking, "how many more times does this need to keep happening to children until something is done?".

Emergency services were unable to revive the teen (Liverpool Echo)

"My girl had her whole life ahead of her she was capable of anything and it's all been ripped away," she said.

"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's death prompted an outpouring of support and grief, with residents leaving flowers and tributes at the scene.

Floral tributes have been left at Carr Mill Dam (Liverpool Echo)

Tragically, the incident followed others in recent weeks involving young people who lost their lives in open water as temperatures ramped up.

Joe Abbess, 17, and 12-year-old Sunnah Khan died at Bournemouth beach last week after getting into difficulty in the sea.

Two young men, Muhammed Batchilly, 21, and 19-year-old Elvicia Neely, also died at a lake at High Eske nature reserve near Beverley, East Yorkshire, last month.

A fundraising page sharing pictures of Erin has also been set up by family friend Toni Ward, who described the teenager 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."

Emergency services rushed to the scene after Erin went missing in the water (Julian Hamilton/Daily Mirror)

The fundraising page's original target was £3,000, but it has now reached £4,663 as of Monday, June 5.

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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