Body found in search for girl, 13, who fell into water at reservoir while with dad

A body has been found in the desperate search for a 13 year old schoolgirl who tragically fell into a reservoir while on a half-term walk with her father. The teenager, from Halifax, was having her photo taken by her dad when she slipped and fell into the 140 feet-deep water at Baitings Dam near Ripponden, West Yorkshire.

Despite the immediate response of emergency services, the girl could not be located.

The young girl, described as having "a really bright future", fell over the parapet into the reservoir, which had a 30 feet drop from where she was standing. West Yorkshire Police confirmed that a body was discovered this afternoon, although formal identification is yet to be completed.

Detective Inspector Laura Hall, of Calderdale's Safeguarding Team, said: "While formal identification is yet to take place, the girl's family have been informed and are being supported by specially-trained officers.

"My thoughts go out to her family and friends at this very sad time. Our enquiries are continuing into the death in order to establish exactly what happened yesterday, but we do not believe it to be suspicious.", reports

In a heart-wrenching incident, an 80 year old witness described how a father was led away in an ambulance, wracked with pain and shouting his daughter's name after she plunged into a reservoir.

Neighbour Sue Ferris, who lives close to the scene, rushed to comfort the grief-stricken family yesterday afternoon, revealing that "The little girl was posing for photographs before this happened. Her dad had been taking the photographs. It is disgraceful that there are no life buoy rings anywhere on the parapet."

Yorkshire Water, responsible for the site's safety measures, had previously installed white metal railings atop the existing structure.

However, according to Mrs Ferris, who recounted the event to the Sun, "Yorkshire Water added the white metal railings on top of the stone structure some years ago now," but she lamented its ineffectiveness, adding "But it only adds about half a foot to the barrier height and actually helps people to climb onto the wall. It gives them something to grip on to. All it is doing, is helping people to stand on the wall."

Search teams, spearheaded by the police, scoured the area into the evening as they worked tirelessly to locate the missing young girl.

The search operation resumed today at the dam as specialists from Police Regional Marine and Underwater Search teams trawled through waters.

Speaking to the devastated family, Mrs Ferris learnt that the teenage girl, recently accepted to a grammar school, wanted to enjoy a walk around the reservoir with her father during their half-term break.

She disclosed further details, saying "She had just got into grammar school, they told me. They were very proud of her. She had a really bright future," before poignantly noting, "It was just dad and daughter at the reservoir when she fell in. The rest of the family came after the accident.

"Dad had been taking photographs, according to a witness, and he also heard dad screaming and shouting her name after she fell in - but he did not go into the water. He had some kind of heart problem and was clutching his chest soon afterwards and was taken away by ambulance."

A spokesperson for the police confirmed on Wednesday: "Shortly after 1.17pm this afternoon police were called to a report a girl had fallen into water at Baitings Dam near Ripponden. Emergency services are currently on the scene, with searches ongoing to locate the girl."