An 11-year-old girl, who drowned at a waterpark during a birthday party, was unlawfully killed, a coroner has heard.
Kyra Hill got into difficulty when swimming in a designated area at Liquid Leisure near Windsor in Berkshire on August 6, 2022.
Senior coroner Heidi Connor concluded that Kyra had been unlawfully killed following a significant number of health and safety breaches at the park.
Connor found the breaches included the depth and visibility of the water and the absence of an emergency plan and risk assessment.
Schoolgirl, 11, was unlawfully killed after managers of water park waited 37 minutes to call 999PAConnor explained there were no warning signs of deep water despite the designated swimming area being 4.67 metres deep.
She said: "In fact, the only sign present warned of shallow water."
Parents and carers were not advised to attend with children in a ratio of one to four. Young children were allowed to swim too, without any buoyancy aids.
There was also no emergency plan or risk assessment that took those factors into account.
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At around 3.20pm, a 17-year-old lifeguard spotted Kyra struggling and dived in after her before leaving the water to radio her colleagues.
A manager attended the scene quickly, but 37 minutes passed before 999 was called.
Around 13 minutes before emergency services were contacted, the park owner attempted to phone a divemaster and an off-duty firefighter.
The diver, Chris Knight, missed several calls and CCTV showed him first entering the water with an oxygen tank at 4.33pm.
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, 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."
Kyra Hill died at Liquid Leisure near Windsor
PA
Her father, Leonard Hill, fought back tears at Berkshire Coroner Court.
He said: "Kyra was a beautiful, beaming beacon of light in the lives of all who were fortunate enough to know her.
"With her naturally enchanting, bright, and beautiful eyes - paired with the softest, sweetest and warmest smile - she captivated hearts effortlessly."
Kyra's dad described her as "a spirited individual" who was always "resolute in her beliefs".
He added: "She would stand up for what was right without hesitation, always the first to challenge a bully or defend a friend."
