A four-year-old girl has died after an incident at a swimming pool in one of Britain’s largest water parks.
The incident happened in the lagoon area of the aqua park in Waterworld, Stoke-on-Trent, at 4.20pm today.
She was found unconscious and treated by the lifeguard until paramedics and police arrived.
The child was in critical condition and was treated at the scene before she was taken to hospital, where she died a short time later.
All other visitors were asked to leave the pool out of respect for the rescue operation underway, Waterworld said in a statement published on Facebook.
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Detective Inspector Lucy Maskew said: ‘We are now making inquiries and looking to establish the circumstances of the incident.’
She urged members of the public not to speculate in these early stages of the investigation and ‘allow the family of the girl to grieve.’
Police have confirmed that an investigation is underway to determine the full sequence of events leading up to the tragedy.
The girl has not yet been named, but officers urged witnesses to contact them to help with the probe.
A Waterworld spokesperson said: ‘It is with great sadness that we learned of the young girl’s passing later this evening.
‘All our thoughts are with her family and loved ones during these extremely difficult times.
‘The authorities were immediately alerted and Waterworld is working closely and openly with them to precisely understand the circumstances of this tragic accident.
‘Waterworld is in shock and has decided to remain closed tomorrow out of respect for the young girl’s family.’
Festival Way and the Waterworld complex remain cordoned off as officers continue their enquiries.
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