Girl, 12, drowns in river as police warn over dangers of swimming in heatwave

A 12-year-old girl drowned in a river prompting a police warning over swimming during the heatwave.

Officers were called to the River Irwell in Bury, Greater Manchester, at 7.55pm yesterday after reports a young person had gotten into difficulty in the water.

Emergency services responded and underwater search teams were sent to examine the area.

They tragically discovered the body of a 12-year-old girl.

Police have not confirmed the schoolgirl was swimming before she died, but have warned about the dangers of climbing into water during the heatwave.

The death is not being treated as suspicious.

Detective Inspector Andrew Naismith said: “This is an incredibly tragic incident in which a young girl has lost her life, and my thoughts are with her family at this devastating time.

“We have a team of detectives working on this, but there are not believed to be any suspicious circumstances at this time.

“With the warmer weather, it’s tempting to go into the water to cool off, but I’d like to remind everyone of the dangers of playing near or swimming in rivers, lakes and reservoirs and would strongly urge against this.”

Specially trained officers are supporting the child’s family.

The name of the schoolgirl has not been released.