Family pays tribute to girl, 16, after body pulled from river at country park

The ‘heartbroken’ family of a girl who drowned while swimming in a river during last week’s heatwave have paid tribute to their daughter.

The body of 16-year-old Lillianna Tomlinson was recovered following a roughly hour-long search along the River Tame near Warwickshire’s Kingsbury Water Park on Monday, May 25.

Emergency services were called to the scene shortly before 6.10pm following reports that a girl had got into difficulty in the water.

Her family said: ‘We’re deeply saddened to be writing that Lillianna’s life has been taken in the most tragic way.

‘Our family is completely devastated and will be forever heartbroken.

‘We would like to take a moment to sincerely thank our community for the love, compassion and support that has been shown to us, and for sharing in our grief – it means more than words can express.

‘During this incredibly difficult time, we kindly ask for privacy while we come to terms with what has happened.’

Lillianna’s family is being supported by specially trained officers.

The number of open-water deaths during the recent heatwave has now climbed to 17.

Declan Sawyer, 15, died after getting into trouble at Swanholme Lakes, Lincoln, on May 24.

Emergency services were called to the area at 2.30pm on May 24 after reports that Declan had entered the water and was missing.

Also on May 24, a 72-year-old woman died after being pulled from the water at West Angle Bay beach in Pembrokeshire, Wales, at around 3.15pm.

A 13-year-old boy, understood to be Reco Puttock, died after getting into difficulty at Leadbeater Dam, near Halifax, West Yorkshire, on May 25.

The body of a teenage girl was recovered from the water at Kingsbury Water Park, Warwickshire on May 25.

On the same day, a man in his 60s died of cardiac arrest after entering the sea at Tregirls Beach, Padstow, to help two family members who were in difficulty.

The two family members were brought to safety by members of the public.

The body of a teenager was recovered from the water at Rother Valley Country Park, Rotherham, in the early hours of the morning on Tuesday May 26.

A body was found in the search for a teenage boy who went missing after being last seen swimming at a boating lake on the Hampshire-Surrey border.

Hampshire Constabulary said a multi-agency search was launched on Tuesday afternoon following the disappearance at Hawley Lake near Blackwater.

A 12-year-old boy who died after getting into trouble in the River Ribble at Ribchester, Lancashire, on Tuesday was named as Junior Slater from Clayton-le-Woods.

On Wednesday, Cheshire Police said the body of a 17-year-old boy was found after he went missing in Pickmere Lake at Marston, Northwich.

In a tribute issued by police, David Tita Jr’s family said the boy was ‘was compassionate, sensitive, brave and full of light’.

Kent Fire and Rescue Service said it was called to reports of concern for a person in water near Galley Hill Road in Swanscombe, Dartford, just before 3pm on Wednesday.

The teenager’s body was recovered at the scene and his death is not being treated as suspicious, it added.

Thames Valley Police said that a 14-year-old boy died after getting into difficulty in the River Thames at Donnington Bridge on Wednesday.

The body of 16-year-old Charlie Noble was recovered from Bracklinn Falls near Callander in Stirlingshire on Thursday evening.

A 15-year-old girl who was taken to hospital after getting into difficulty on Formby beach on May 25 was pronounced dead in hospital on Saturday.

Chiedza Nyanjowa, from Cheshire, was taken to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital after the incident, where she later died.

A 19-year-old man, who had been at the lake with friends, was also recovered from the water at Balderton Lake, off Heron Way in New Balderton, on Thursday afternoon.

On Saturday, Nottinghamshire Police said the man had not survived, adding that his family has been informed and were being supported by specialist officers.

North Yorkshire Police also said late on Sunday that a 13-year-old girl had died after being reported missing in the River Wharfe near Burnsall in the Skipton area.

On Tuesday, South Yorkshire Police said they had recovered a body 48 hours after launching a search for an 11-year-old boy after he went into the River Don, near Mexborough in South Yorkshire.

Mackenzie Swift was last seen entering the water on Saturday evening and the alarm was raised when he did not emerge.

Record May temperatures were recorded last Tuesday in England and Wales but it has dropped to average for the time of year with thunderstorms and cooler temperatures expected.

Met Office meteorologist Rebecca Mitchell said the heatwave was ‘over’ with ‘big change on the way’, including cooler temperatures, rain, possible thunderstorms and strengthening winds.

In light of the recent deaths, the RNLI has published guidance on how to improve your chances of survival in the water.

‘(Floating) has helped save the lives of more than 50 people in all sorts of situations. From children in rip currents to runners falling into canals, from people swept out by waves, to fishermen falling overboard,’ its website states.

‘The best way to float is to tilt your head back with your ears submerged. Try to relax and breathe normally. You can gently move your hands and legs to help you stay afloat if you need to.

‘Spread your arms and legs out to improve stability – and it’s OK if your legs sink, we all float differently. Once your breathing is under control, call for help or swim to safety. Practise floating in a supervised location like a swimming pool.’

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