Heartbreaking floral tributes have been left near the scene where a 15-year-old girl lost her life after being pulled from a river in Tameside on Wednesday night (June 14).
High school student Abbie Walton had gotten into difficulty at the River Etherow in the village of Broadbottom before being rescued from the water. Despite the best efforts of paramedics, she was tragically pronounced dead.
Flowers and emotional handwritten tributes have now been left by the scene, near Hodge Lane, with her heartbroken friends and fellow students penning: "We all love you and miss you - from your Year 10 girls"
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Another tribute at the scene reads: "RIP to the most beaut girl. Rest easy my angel. I love you always" as another says: "Forever 15 beautiful girl".
Tributes have since been pouring in for the teenager, a student at Copley Academy in Stalybridge, describing her as having the 'kindest soul' who will be 'missed by many'.
On social media one person wrote: "Love and miss you Abbie, we're heartbroken. You gained your wings too soon, rest in peace angel" as another posted: "Rest easy Abbie you’ll be missed by many. You had the kindest heart and wouldn’t hurt a soul."
In a message posted on social media this afternoon (Thursday June 15), Copley Academy 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."
Tragedy struck on Wednesday night (June 14) just hours after residents in the small Tameside village had enjoyed their annual duck race event.
The quiet streets were disrupted as emergency services swarmed the scene shortly after 7.50pm, with police, fire crews and paramedics in attendance, along with specialist water and technical response units amid a major search.
Following the tragedy, Broadbottom villagers told the Manchester Evening News of their shock at the second fatal incident at the beauty spot in seven years. In July 2016, another teenager, Jack Pullen, 16, died after getting into trouble in the same stretch of water known as Broadbottom Rocks.
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