Abbie Walton drowns in River Etherow after village duck racing event
The 15-year-old girl who died after getting into difficulty in a river during a village fun day has been pictured.
Abbie Walton, 15, died on Wednesday after falling into the River Etherow after the area’s annual duck race and barbecue.
Officers said the teenager was found in the water after a search in Broadbottom, near Hyde, and a medical team of paramedics was unable to save her.
Police and firefighters launched a large search following reports a young girl had entered the water shortly before 8pm.
It was unclear if she had entered the water deliberately or fallen in. Sources said the drama unfolded some time after the supervised duck race had concluded.
Friends of the teenager paid emotional tributes to her online.
One wrote: ‘Rest in paradise to the most kindest soul I know. I will forever cherish the time and memories we had you were always putting a smile on my face.
‘It was only two days ago I was with you I love you will all off my heart my angel.’
One resident told the Manchester Evening News: ‘It’s no more dangerous than any other river. When it’s flooding, it’s really dangerous.
‘Last night it wasn’t like that. It’s very strange. It shows that even when it’s calm it can be a problem.’
Another local described the heartbreak when 16-year-old Jack Pullen died in the water nearby in 2016.
They said: ‘There are signs up but it doesn’t seem to stop people coming down here. It’s more dangerous than they realise.’
Copley Academy, where Miss Walton went to school, said in a statement on Thursday that: ‘Copley Academy have been made aware of the tragic news that one of our students lost their life last night.