A girl has died after being swept away by a river on Dartmoor in Devon during a training expedition.
A girl has died after being swept away by a river on Dartmoor in Devon during a training expedition.
The teenager's friends raised the alarm by mobile phone after losing sight of her at Walla Brook near Watern Tor.
The teenager's friends raised the alarm by mobile phone after losing sight of her at Walla Brook near Watern Tor.
She was one of 20 youngsters from three separate groups rescued from the moor training for the Ten Tors Expedition.
She was one of 20 youngsters from three groups rescued from the moor while training for the Ten Tors Expedition.
Police said her family were being supported by officers and that an investigation into the circumstances of the incident had begun.
Police said her family were being supported by officers and an investigation into the circumstances of the incident had begun.
Swollen rivers
Weather conditions on the moor at the time were poor, with heavy rain over a 12-hour period causing swollen rivers.
The girl was in a party of 10 teenagers from Bideford who were training for the annual Ten Tors event, which sees thousands of youngsters walk on courses of up to 55 miles (86km) across the moor.
'Shocking tragedy'
The girl was in a party of 10 teenagers from Bideford preparing for the annual expedition, which sees thousands of youngsters walk on courses of up to 55 miles (86km) across the moor.
She was a student at Edgehill College in Bideford.
The college said in a statement: "We are all shocked by the tragedy and are working to support all the pupils and staff in coming to terms with what happened.
"The pupil was a delightful member of our school community. She loved to be involved in all the activities the school runs and shared her love of sport by helping to coach younger pupils. We will all miss her enormously."
The groups were training for the Dartmoor Ten Tors expedition
The mayor of West Devon, Ken Williams, also spoke about the incident, saying it was a "shocking tragedy".
About 85 teams were training on the moor over the weekend.
About 85 teams were training on the moor over the weekend.
The alarm was raised by the girl's group at about 1405 GMT on Sunday.
The alarm was raised by the girl's group at about 1405 GMT on Sunday.
The police, Dartmoor rescue services and the Royal Naval Air Service were called out to search for her.
The police, Dartmoor rescue services and the Royal Naval Air Service were called out to search for her.
She was located within about 20 minutes by a rescue helicopter and airlifted to Derriford Hospital in Plymouth, where she died overnight.
She was located within about 20 minutes by a rescue helicopter and airlifted to Derriford Hospital in Plymouth, where she died overnight.
The groups were training for the Dartmoor Ten Tors expeditionThe coroner's office has been informed of the death, police said.
The coroner's office has been informed of the death, police said.
Members of the two other groups who got into difficulty were also rescued by helicopter.
Members of the two other groups who got into difficulty were also rescued by helicopter.
Couple died
All three teams were taken to Okehampton Battle Camp for checks, then driven by ambulance to hospital.
All three teams were taken to Okehampton Battle Camp for checks, then driven by ambulance to hospital.
One sustained leg injuries and others were suffering from hypothermia, police said.
One sustained leg injuries and others were suffering from hypothermia, police said.
Everyone was accounted for and safely taken off the moor by Sunday afternoon.
Everyone was accounted for and safely taken off the moor by Sunday afternoon.
It was not known if any teachers or trainers were with the children at the time.
It was not known if any teachers or trainers were with the children at the time.
Weather conditions on the moor were poor, with heavy rain over a 12-hour period that had swollen rivers.
In a separate incident, the helicopter from Cornwall's RNAS Culdrose base, which rescued the teenagers, was involved in airlifting a man and a woman who later died after being swept into the sea at Mullion Cove in Cornwall on Sunday afternoon.
In a separate incident, the helicopter from Cornwall's RNAS Culdrose base, which rescued the teenagers, was involved in airlifting a man and a woman who later died after being swept into the sea at Mullion Cove in Cornwall on Sunday afternoon.
What is your experience of training exercises on Dartmoor? Have you ever had safety concerns? Are you worried that future expeditions could now be under threat?
What is your experience of training exercises on Dartmoor? Have you ever had safety concerns? Are you worried that future expeditions could now be under threat?
Send us your thoughts and experiences by filling in the form below.
Send us your thoughts and experiences by filling in the form below.
