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River Wear deaths: Girl died trying to save friend | River Wear deaths: Girl died trying to save friend |
(about 1 hour later) | |
One of two teenage girls who died in the River Wear only went into the water to try to rescue her friend, Northumbria Police have said. | |
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. | Both girls were swept away and their bodies discovered later. |
Chloe's family said they were "devastated". | |
In a statement they thanked people who had tried to save the girls. | |
Police said inquiries surrounding the deaths were continuing. | |
'Completely distraught' | |
Onlookers said they believed the girls had jumped into the river for "fun" and to "keep cool". | Onlookers said they believed the girls had jumped into the river for "fun" and to "keep cool". |
But Northumbria Police said it had since been established Tonibeth had not jumped but 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. | 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. |
The family of Chloe Fowler said in a statement: "Chloe was a beautiful, kind and caring girl and we as a family are devastated by what has happened. | |
"We would like to thank everyone involved in helping us to look for the girls." | |
Joss Both, 14, who was in Chloe's class at Oxclose Community Academy, said: "She was absolutely lovely, always smiling and laughing, she didn't have a bad bone in her body. | |
"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." |
A statement issued for the school by Sunderland City Council said: "Chloe was a popular pupil who had many friends in school. | |
"She was determined to succeed in everything she set her mind to and she will be sadly missed by staff and pupils alike." | |
'Sense of loss' | |
The head teacher of Washington School paid tribute to Tonibeth Purvis. | |
John Hallworth said: "Her teachers and pastoral staff speak of a quiet and caring young lady who had a most promising future and who was looking forward to achieving a broad suite of qualifications. | |
"Tonibeth was a lovely girl and a valued member of our school community. | |
"There is a very palpable sense of loss at school this morning." | |
Supt Veitch said the force would offer support for witnesses and "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." |