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River Wear deaths: Girl died trying to save friend | River Wear deaths: Girl died trying to save friend |
(about 2 hours 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. | 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. | 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". | Chloe's family said they were "devastated". |
In a statement they thanked people who had tried to save the girls. | In a statement they thanked people who had tried to save the girls. |
Police said inquiries surrounding the deaths were continuing. | Police said inquiries surrounding the deaths were continuing. |
'Completely distraught' | '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. | 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. | 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." | "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. | 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. | 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." | "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' | 'Sense of loss' |
The head teacher of Washington School paid tribute to Tonibeth Purvis. | 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. | 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. | "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." | "There is a very palpable sense of loss at school this morning." |
Tom Mullarkey, from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, warned against the danger of going into fast-flowing rivers. | |
He said: "The first thing you do when you go into cold water head first is you breathe out, its just a natural response, and the next thing you do is breathe in water." | |
"Leave fast-flowing rivers well alone. | |
"Ideally, go to a place that is supervised, but if not, go to a place you've recced thoroughly, and you know is going to be safe and you'll be able to go out if you get into difficulties." |