Body found for missing schoolgirl, 13, who fell into water while out on a walk with her dad

Drone footage of the Baitings Reservoir, which faces severe water stress by 2030
GB News
George Bunn

By George Bunn


Published: 29/05/2025

- 21:36

Residents living near Baitings Dam near Ripponden said the safety round the dam is 'disgraceful'

Police have found a body in the search for a missing teenage girl who fell into a reservoir from a dam.

West Yorkshire Police confirmed the discovery this afternoon following an extensive search operation at Baitings Dam near Ripponden.


Emergency services were initially called to the scene at 1.17pm on Wednesday after reports that the teenage girl had fallen into the water.

Detective Inspector Laura Hall of Calderdale's Safeguarding Team said formal identification is yet to take place, but the girl's family have been informed and are being supported by specially-trained officers.

\u200bBaitings Reservoir, near Ripponden, West Yorkshire

Baitings Reservoir, near Ripponden, West Yorkshire (file pic)

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According to a witness, the father had been taking photographs when his daughter fell in. He was heard screaming and shouting her name after she fell but did not go into the water himself.

The father, who reportedly has a heart condition, was clutching his chest soon afterwards and was taken away by ambulance.

Four West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue crews were deployed to the scene on Wednesday, assisted by the Littleborough crew, alongside Yorkshire Ambulance Service's Hazardous Area Response Team.

Underwater search teams worked around the clock in an attempt to find the youngster, with two RIBs (rigid inflatable boats) spotted at the site this morning.

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\u200bThe reservoir in Yorkshire

The reservoir in Yorkshire

WikICommons

Specialist teams from the police, fire, and ambulance services were deployed to the beauty spot, where underwater search crews continued to work overnight.

The mass search operation entered its second day before the body was discovered this afternoon. A cordon was put in place at the reservoir following the initial emergency call.

Detective Inspector Laura Hall said: "My thoughts go out to her family and friends at this very sad time.

"Our enquiries are continuing into the death in order to establish exactly what happened yesterday, but we do not believe it to be suspicious."

Local resident Sue Ferris, who helped comfort the girl's family, revealed that the youngster had just been accepted into grammar school and "had a really bright future".

The 80-year-old told The Sun: "She had just got into grammar school, they told me. She wanted to walk round the reservoir with her dad because it was half term, but the rest of the family didn't want to go."

Ferris, who has lived overlooking the reservoir for 20 years, criticised the lack of safety equipment around the dangerous water.

She said: "It is disgraceful that there are no life rings anywhere on the parapet. Yorkshire Water added the white metal railings on top of the stone structure some years ago now.

"But it only adds about half a foot to the barrier height and actually helps people to climb onto the wall."

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