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River Wear deaths: Girl died trying to save friend | |
(35 minutes later) | |
One of two teenage girls who died in the River Wear only went into the water to rescue her friend, Northumbria Police say. | |
Tonibeth Purvis, 15, from Barmston tried to help Chloe Fowler, 14, from Shiney Row, after she got into difficulty near a viaduct in Fatfield, Washington on Tuesday afternoon. | |
Both girls were swept away and their bodies discovered later. | |
The force said inquiries surrounding the deaths are continuing. | |
Onlookers said they believed the girls had jumped into the river for "fun" and to "keep cool". | |
But Northumbria Police said it has now been established that Tonibeth had not jumped but she went in to try to rescue her younger friend. | |
The river was still tidal at the point where the girls went missing and there was a lot of debris and foliage in the water, the force said. | |
Supt Alan Veitch said: "This is an absolute tragedy and our deepest sympathies are with the families of the two girls at what must be a devastating time for them. | Supt Alan Veitch said: "This is an absolute tragedy and our deepest sympathies are with the families of the two girls at what must be a devastating time for them. |
"They are obviously completely distraught at what has happened and we're doing everything possible to support them at this time. | "They are obviously completely distraught at what has happened and we're doing everything possible to support them at this time. |
"At this stage we believe a group of friends had been at the riverside and two went into the water and the others tried to help, along with members of the public." | "At this stage we believe a group of friends had been at the riverside and two went into the water and the others tried to help, along with members of the public." |
'Sobbed my heart out' | 'Sobbed my heart out' |
About 100 emergency services staff and members of the public were involved in the search, which took about six hours. | About 100 emergency services staff and members of the public were involved in the search, which took about six hours. |
Joss Both, 14, who was in Chloe's class at school, said: "She was absolutely lovely, always smiling and laughing, she didn't have a bad bone in her body. She had lots of friends who loved her and she was really, really nice. | Joss Both, 14, who was in Chloe's class at school, said: "She was absolutely lovely, always smiling and laughing, she didn't have a bad bone in her body. She had lots of friends who loved her and she was really, really nice. |
"She was so funny as well, she had a wicked sense of humour... she always made you giggle. | "She was so funny as well, she had a wicked sense of humour... she always made you giggle. |
"I am absolutely gutted that she has gone. I sobbed my heart out last night." | "I am absolutely gutted that she has gone. I sobbed my heart out last night." |
Supt Veitch added: "We're working to get appropriate support for witnesses, in particular the young people who were with the girls and saw what happened. | Supt Veitch added: "We're working to get appropriate support for witnesses, in particular the young people who were with the girls and saw what happened. |
"This has been traumatic for them and we're keen they are able to access support services. | "This has been traumatic for them and we're keen they are able to access support services. |
"Although we are investigating the circumstances of this incident it's always worth reminding people of the dangers of going into water such as rivers and lakes. | "Although we are investigating the circumstances of this incident it's always worth reminding people of the dangers of going into water such as rivers and lakes. |
"The River Wear is a fast-flowing, powerful river with strong currents which can be deceptive. We'd advise anyone not to enter the water." | "The River Wear is a fast-flowing, powerful river with strong currents which can be deceptive. We'd advise anyone not to enter the water." |