Heartache for community after second girl from same school dies in water tragedy

The families of two teenage girls along with their local community have been left heartbroken after they both died in water-related tragedies just less than a year apart.

Abbie Walton, 15, died after getting into difficulty in the River Etherow on Wednesday night, June 14th.

Emergency services rushed to the scene where they pulled the teenager from the water near Hodge Lane, in Broadbottom in Tameside. She was sadly pronounced dead despite the best efforts of paramedics attending to her.

Tributes have flooded to honour the youngster described as having the ‘kindest soul’ who was a pupil at Copley Academy in Stalybridge.

In a message posted on social media on Thursday afternoon, June 15th, the school wrote: “Copley Academy have been made aware of the tragic news that one of our students lost their life last night.

“We offer our deepest sympathy to all of those involved in this tragedy. Our hearts and thoughts go out to the families, loved ones, friends and local communities affected at this extremely sad time.

“Copley would like to offer our support and also the support of a specialist team.”

Abbie’s death comes less than a year after Lucy Smith, another Copley Academy pupil, drowned after trying to help a friend who got into difficulty in the water at Carrbrook Angling ponds after a group went swimming there.

Lucy Smith died on August 15th, 2022, in the ‘tragic accident’, around six miles away from where Abbie died.

Detective Inspector Steven Horton from Greater Manchester Police told the inquest it had been a particularly hot day. The group started playing in the water, but things ‘very suddenly’ went wrong.

“They were playing and dancing in the water and everyone was in good spirits. Phone footage taken at the time all supports that they were in the water having a good time,” he said.

He added that the tone of the footage quickly changes and is turned off when it becomes apparent that someone is in difficulty in the water.

“They were all playing in the water when one of her friends got into difficulty and Lucy had gone to try and assist her,” Detective Inspector Horton previously told the inquest. 

As she was trying to help she got into trouble and her friends tried to help her but she had gone under the water and didn’t surface.

Coroner, Christopher Morris, gave a conclusion of Lucy’s death being a ‘tragic accident.’ “There is little as tragic as this case before the court of a young person with their whole life ahead of them,” Mr Morris said.

In a statement following Ms Smith’s death, Copley Academy said: “Copley Academy are aware of the devastating news that a young member of our academy community sadly lost their life after getting into difficulty in open water on Monday evening.

“We want to offer our deepest sympathy to all of those involved in this tragedy. Our hearts and thoughts go out to the families, friends and local community at this extremely sad time.

“We would like to offer support and the support of a specialist team. To access this support or if you need anything else please let us know.”

Residents in the village of Broadbottom described their shock on Thursday, after it emerged that Miss Walton was the second youngster to die in that section of the river in less than a decade.

In July 2016, Jack Pullen, 16, from Hattersley, died after getting into trouble in the same stretch of water at Broadbottom Rocks.

Longdendale Councillor, Jacqueline Owen, issued a warning to the community, urging all young people ‘wanting to swim’ to use public pools, as she highlighted the dangers of swimming in open water.

She said: “On behalf of the Longdendale Ward Councillors, I would like to extend our condolences to the family, friends and the whole Broadbottom community, following the tragic incident yesterday evening. We are all shocked to hear about this terrible loss.

“Sadly, this is not the first death of a young person in the River Etherow. We would use all young people wanting to swim to use public pools; as open water swimming can be very hazardous.”

In an update on Wednesday night, GMP said they were not treating Miss Walton’s death as suspicious. They added that officers are continuing to support the family during this ‘incredibly difficult time.’