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Family of Jessica Lawson travel to French activity centre where she died Family of Jessica Lawson travel to French activity centre where she died
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The family of 12-year-old Jessica Lawson, who drowned while on a school adventure holiday in France, have travelled to the activity centre in Massif Central region ahead of a postmortem examination.The family of 12-year-old Jessica Lawson, who drowned while on a school adventure holiday in France, have travelled to the activity centre in Massif Central region ahead of a postmortem examination.
Jessica Lawson, from Wolfreton school, Hull, fell into a lake near Meymac in the Massif Central region on Tuesday.Jessica Lawson, from Wolfreton school, Hull, fell into a lake near Meymac in the Massif Central region on Tuesday.
She was among a group jumping from a pontoon that overturned, trapping some children beneath it, according to French radio reports.She was among a group jumping from a pontoon that overturned, trapping some children beneath it, according to French radio reports.
A postmortem examination is due to take place on Thursday as the French authorities continue an investigation into the circumstances of the tragedy. Some of Jessica’s classmates have been interviewed as witnesses. They have also been given counselling. A postmortem examination is due to take place on Thursday as the French authorities continue an investigation into the circumstances of the incident. Some of Jessica’s classmates have been interviewed as witnesses. They have also been given counselling.
Jessica’s family described her as a “beautiful and outgoing girl”.Jessica’s family described her as a “beautiful and outgoing girl”.
She was one of 24 students on a five-day trip to the Club Correze adventure centre.She was one of 24 students on a five-day trip to the Club Correze adventure centre.
Her sister Polly, who has travelled along with other members of her family to the resort, wrote on Facebook: “Just thought I should let everyone who knows me and my family that the girl in this accident was unfortunately my sister Jess.Her sister Polly, who has travelled along with other members of her family to the resort, wrote on Facebook: “Just thought I should let everyone who knows me and my family that the girl in this accident was unfortunately my sister Jess.
“We are in France doing everything we can to get her back into the country.“We are in France doing everything we can to get her back into the country.
“Remember who she was not who she could have been, it is important we respect and cherish the memories we had with her. Thanks everyone again.”“Remember who she was not who she could have been, it is important we respect and cherish the memories we had with her. Thanks everyone again.”
Hannah Davison, another sister, said: “We are all heartbroken and devastated. Jess was the most beautiful and outgoing girl and I am proud to be her sister.Hannah Davison, another sister, said: “We are all heartbroken and devastated. Jess was the most beautiful and outgoing girl and I am proud to be her sister.
“I will live my life to the full just like she would have done. I love you angel. Forever.”“I will live my life to the full just like she would have done. I love you angel. Forever.”
France Bleu reported that Jessica had spent several days at the centre and was among a group playing in a lake and jumping from a pontoon.France Bleu reported that Jessica had spent several days at the centre and was among a group playing in a lake and jumping from a pontoon.
The pontoon then overturned and some of the children were trapped underneath. A lifeguard dived down twice before finding Jessica, it was reported. Her body was taken to hospital in Limoges.The pontoon then overturned and some of the children were trapped underneath. A lifeguard dived down twice before finding Jessica, it was reported. Her body was taken to hospital in Limoges.
Those on the trip, including three members of staff, had been due to return to the UK on Thursday.Those on the trip, including three members of staff, had been due to return to the UK on Thursday.
Dave McCready, headteacher at Wolfreton School, said Jessica’s death was a terrible tragedy and a “dreadful shock to the whole school community”.Dave McCready, headteacher at Wolfreton School, said Jessica’s death was a terrible tragedy and a “dreadful shock to the whole school community”.
Senior members of staff have travelled to the area to help the school party.Senior members of staff have travelled to the area to help the school party.
McCready said: “As a parent myself I can only begin to imagine the pain felt by her parents and family at her death at such a young age. McCready said: “As a parent myself I can only begin to imagine the pain felt by her parents and family at her death at such a young age.”
He said the school had a suffered a dreadful shock, adding: “Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers go to the family at this very difficult time.” He added: “Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers go to the family at this very difficult time.”
The trip, which included opportunities to kayak, sail, mountain bike, and rock climb, was run by the Activ4 tour operator.The trip, which included opportunities to kayak, sail, mountain bike, and rock climb, was run by the Activ4 tour operator.
One of the conditions for going on the trip was that pupils had to be able to swim 50 metres unaided, although a letter to parents said they did “not have to be technically sound or regular swimmers”.One of the conditions for going on the trip was that pupils had to be able to swim 50 metres unaided, although a letter to parents said they did “not have to be technically sound or regular swimmers”.
Activ4 said it understood the incident occurred while the group was swimming after activities scheduled by Club Correze staff had finished.Activ4 said it understood the incident occurred while the group was swimming after activities scheduled by Club Correze staff had finished.
Steve Scott, managing director of Activ4, who is in Meymac, said the exact circumstances surrounding the incident remained unclear.Steve Scott, managing director of Activ4, who is in Meymac, said the exact circumstances surrounding the incident remained unclear.
“The owners of the activity centre and senior management from Activ4 are working closely with the local authority and the school to provide all necessary support and assistance,” he said.“The owners of the activity centre and senior management from Activ4 are working closely with the local authority and the school to provide all necessary support and assistance,” he said.
Mike Furbank, head of children and young people, education and schools at East Riding of Yorkshire council said they were working to bring those on the trip back to the UK.Mike Furbank, head of children and young people, education and schools at East Riding of Yorkshire council said they were working to bring those on the trip back to the UK.
He said: “There will be a full investigation into the incident and it would be inappropriate to comment further about the details of these tragic events, which the authorities in France are looking into.”He said: “There will be a full investigation into the incident and it would be inappropriate to comment further about the details of these tragic events, which the authorities in France are looking into.”
Steve Lenartowicz, chair of the Outdoor Education Advisers’ Panel, insisted that school trips were “incredibly safe”.
Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme on Thursday he cited statistics from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, showing that on average one pupil a year dies on a school trip.
He added: “There are so many benefits for young people getting involved in outdoor education. Obviously one accident is too many, but we need to make sure we understand those benefits as well as the risks.”