The scene where a 15-year-old girl died after being pulled from a river has been covered in touching tributes.
Abbie Walton tragically died after being pulled from the River Etherow near Hodge Lane, in Broadbottom in Tameside on Wednesday night (June 14). Emergency services descended on the scene following reports of a person in difficulty in the water.
Since her death, Abbie's loved ones have covered the scene with heartbreaking tributes for her. Pictures taken this morning showed dozens of bouquets of flowers placed by the side of the road.
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One message on a bunch of flowers read 'RIP to the most beautiful girl, rest easy my angel'. Another said 'From your YR10 girls. We all love and miss you. Forever 15 beautiful girl'.
Balloons have also been left at the scene, including a heart-shaped one with Abbie's name written on. The teenager attended Copley Academy in Stalybridge, with the school describing her death as 'tragic'.
In a message posted on social media on Thursday, the school said: "Copley Academy have been made aware of the tragic news that one of our students lost their life last night. We offer our deepest sympathy to all of those involved in this tragedy.
"Our hearts and thoughts go out to the families, loved ones, friends and local communities affected at this extremely sad time. Copley would like to offer our support and also the support of a specialist team."
In an update on Wednesday night, GMP said they were not treating Miss Walton's death as suspicious. They added that officers are continuing to support the family during this 'incredibly difficult time.'
Abbie's death came less than a year after another Copley Academy student - Lucy Smith - drowned after trying to help a friend who got into difficulty at an angling pond in Stalybridge. Lucy died on August 15 last year in the 'tragic accident.'
An inquest at Stockport Coroners' Court earlier this year heard the fellow Copley Academy student and a group of friends went to Carrbrook Angling ponds - around six miles away from where Abbie died. Detective Inspector Steven Horton from GMP told the inquest it had been a particularly hot day. The group started playing in the water, but things 'very suddenly' went wrong.
"They were playing and dancing in the water and everyone was in good spirits. Phone footage taken at the time all supports that they were in the water having a good time."
He added that the tone of the footage quickly changes and is turned off when it becomes apparent that someone is in difficulty in the water.
"They were all playing in the water when one of her friends got into difficulty and Lucy had gone to try and assist her," DI Horton previously told the inquest. As she was trying to help she got into trouble and her friends tried to help her but she had gone under the water and didn't surface.
Coroner Christopher Morris gave a conclusion of Lucy's death being a 'tragic accident'. "There is little as tragic as this case before the court of a young person with their whole life ahead of them," Mr Morris said.
This morning, police issued a dispersal order around Audenshaw Reservoir in a bid to stop people from swimming in the water. It comes amid a heatwave in our region, with police issuing a stark warning that the risks of 'injury and death in open water are very real'.
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