A primary schoolgirl named as Leah Harrison has died in a shock mudslide tragedy during a school trip.
Leah, of Mount Pleasant Primary School, in Darlington, tragically died after the incident at Carlton-in-Cleveland on Wednesday. The Year 6 pupil was reportedly on a school trip to the North Yorkshire beauty spot at the time. Multiple reports of a mudslide were made to the Cleveland Mountain Rescue Team, who deployed thirty team members on a rescue operation which continued throughout Wednesday afternoon.
Police say the incident took place at around 1.15pm. A Health and Safety Executive spokesperson has now confirmed it will carry out a joint investigation alongside North Yorkshire Police. The spokesperson added: "We are aware of this incident and working with North Yorkshire Police on a joint investigation." Hartlepool Borough Council, which operates Carlton Adventure, said a full investigation would be carried out into Leah's death.
In a statement released through the police, Leah's heartbroken family said: "Leah Harrison, the happy bubbly go lucky little girl. The beautiful smile, the giddy laugh the silly jokes. You will never ever be forgotten baby girl You will achieve your dream and become a player for the lionesses, spread those wings. May you rest in paradise."
Leah Harrison was a pupil at Mount Pleasant Primary School (Family)
Leah HarrisonIt was later confirmed that the tragedy happened during an instructor-led outdoor education forest walk with Carlton Adventure. Denise McGuckin, managing director of HartlepoolCouncil, which operates Carlton Adventure, said: “We can confirm that a tragic incident occurred during one of the Centre’s instructor-led outdoor education forest walks near to Carlton-in-Cleveland yesterday. We are utterly devastated and heartbroken and our thoughts are with Leah’s family and friends and all those affected.
'My son's a drug lord - he's threatened to kill me but I still love him'
McGuckin continued: “We are working closely with our partner agencies to carry out a full investigation and we are temporarily suspending all outdoor activities and residential breaks managed by the council. Whilst the investigation is being carried out it would be inappropriate for us to comment further.” A family friend posted on social media after the tragic news broke: "God only takes the best, please let me tell you he's took the best there ever was!"
Staff, pupils and wider community have been left in a "state of shock" and paid tribute to the Year 6 pupil as a "much-loved part of their school." Lingfield Education Trust Chief Executive, Nick Blackburn, said details are still emerging following the heartbreaking tragedy. In a statement, he said: “The full details are still emerging but this is clearly a heartbreaking tragedy. Leah was a much-loved part of our school and our thoughts and prayers are with her family, friends, and the school staff.
"Counselling is being arranged within the school for pupils and staff. We are all in a state of shock and we would ask that the privacy of the family and the school community is respected while we try to come to terms with what has happened.”
Carlton Bank, Cleveland, North Yorkshire, where the schoolgirl died in a mudslide (PA)In a statement issued on Wednesday evening, North Yorkshire Police said: "We are currently responding to a mudslide at Carlton-in-Cleveland. We can confirm that one person has sadly died as a result of the incident. Our thoughts are with their family and friends during this difficult time."
The force confirmed that the incident occurred at around 1.15pm on Wednesday 22 May. One person sadly died and no one else was injured. Emergency services are at the scene and managing the situation as the area remains cordoned off while they respond.
Cleveland Mountain Rescue Team volunteers were called by the North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) to a report of a mudslide near to Carlton Bank. Shortly after, they received a similar report the Yorkshire Ambulance Service with a similar report. Nineteen Cleveland MRT members arrived on scene, but this eventually rose to thirty over the course of the afternoon as the team worked alongside emergency service, including the North Yorkshire Police and North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, as well as the ambulance services.
In a statement they said: "North Yorkshire Police have since confirmed that one person sadly died as a result of the incident. The thoughts of the mountain rescue volunteers are with the family and friends of the deceased during such a very sad time." Posts shared on social media suggest a balloon release will take place "on the big field next to Cockerton Park Monday 27th at 4pm in Memory of Leah."
The incident follows another tragedy which saw a woman die after collapsing on the Cleveland Way on Saturday, May 18. A large emergency response saw members of the Cleveland Mountain Rescue Team, Yorkshire Ambulance Service, North Yorkshire Police and an air ambulance deployed.
A force spokesperson said: "We are actively gathering information and will provide further updates as soon as we can. We would ask the public to refrain from speculation and spreading unverified information. Please monitor our official channels for updates. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding."
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
