This is an extract from the mailonline:
Schoolgirl, 11, who drowned at waterpark birthday party which had no signs warning of deep water was unlawfully killed, coroner rules
By MARTIN ROBINSON, CHIEF REPORTER
Published: 14:54, 20 May 2025 | Updated: 15:41, 20 May 2025
An 11-year-old girl who drowned during a birthday party at a waterpark was unlawfully killed, a coroner found today.
Kyra Hill, described as a ‘beacon of light’ by her family, got into difficulty in a designated swimming area at Liquid Leisure near Windsor, Berkshire, on August 6 2022.
Senior coroner Heidi Connor concluded that Kyra had been unlawfully killed following gross health and safety breaches at the park.
The breaches relate to the depth and visibility of the water and the absence of an emergency plan and risk assessment, she found.
There were no signs warning of deep water despite it reaching 4.67 metres in parts of the designated swimming area, Ms Conner said.
‘In fact the only sign present warned of shallow water’, she added.
Parents and carers were not advised to attend with children in a ratio of one to four, and young children were permitted to swim without buoyancy aids, Ms Connor said.
There was also no emergency plan or risk assessment that took those factors into account, and no control measures were identified and put in place to ‘take account of these clear risks’, she said.
As many as 40 people, including members of the public, are believed to have dived into the water at Liquid Leisure, near Datchet, Berkshire, in a frantic rescue mission but she could not be saved.
Her father, Leonard Hill, fought back tears as he read a pen portrait of his daughter to the inquest.
‘Kyra was a beautiful, beaming beacon of light in the lives of all who were fortunate enough to know her,’ he said.
‘With her naturally enchanting, bright and beautiful eyes – paired with the softest, sweetest and warmest smile – she captivated hearts effortlessly.
‘A spirited individual, Kyra was resolute in her beliefs. She would stand up for what was right without hesitation, always the first to challenge a bully or defend a friend.
‘Guided by an unwavering moral compass, she was a protector at heart, fiercely caring for her loved ones and always considering the feelings of others.’
His Manchester United-supporting daughter dreamed of becoming a professional footballer.
‘Had that dream not become her reality, she had her back-up plan to pursue law and become a lawyer and fight for the truth, stating that she would ‘never defend evil people in court’,’ he said.
At around 3.20pm on August 6 2022, a 17-year-old lifeguard spotted Kyra struggling and dived in after her before leaving the water to radio her colleagues.
A manager attended rapidly but 37 minutes passed before 999 was called, Mrs Connor previously told the hearing.
Around 13 minutes before emergency services were contacted, the park owner attempted to phone a divemaster and off-duty firefighter, the inquest had heard.
The diver, Chris Knight, missed several calls and CCTV showed him first entering the water with an oxygen tank at 4.33pm.Mr Knight previously told the inquest that he searched two parts of the lake before he was told that CCTV showed Kyra going under at another location.
He found Kyra near the third area at around 5.09pm.
He said that as far as he was aware no-one had looked at the CCTV by the time he arrived at the park.
Giving her conclusions, Mrs Connor said: ‘Members of the family, at no point have I forgotten that this was about your 11-year-old, Kyra, and I am so very sorry that you are here today.
‘It must have been incredibly difficult to sit in court and hear some of the evidence that we’ve heard. I offer all of you my heartfelt condolences.’
END