A mother-of-two has told of the desperate search for an 11-year-old girl who died after she went missing at a water park near Windsor. Customers at Liquid Leisure near Datchet were told to shout the girl’s name as they searched for her after she got into trouble on Saturday, the witness said. Emergency services including a helicopter, an ambulance and a search and rescue team were called to the scene at around 3.55pm. The girl was found at around 5.10pm before being rushed to Wexham Park Hospital but died, Thames Valley Police said. A mother of two, who did not want to be named, said she initially hoped the girl would have made it back to shore safely. The 34-year-old woman, who lives outside Reading and was in the park with her sons, said: ‘At around 3.45pm. lifeguards and the little girl’s friends and family began running along the main paths that run by the lake shouting her name. “I later learned that they were hoping he would somehow make it back to shore and that he had either gone into shock or passed out. “They asked us all to call out her name, describing her as shoulder height on an adult, with shoulder-length brown hair. “There was a lady who was either her mom or someone close to her who was in a bathing suit and was visibly shaking and crying while calling out for her.” The witness said lifeguards and strong swimmers jumped into the water to search for the girl before emergency services arrived, but nothing could be done. “We went back to the car but it was locked and emergency vehicles were blocking the way out,” he said. “My car was right next to another family’s and the mum in the other vehicle looked across at me and we both burst into tears. “At that point, he had missed 60-70 minutes and it was clear that the chance of him being OK was not good. “As the situation developed, with each passing minute you could see the growing panic among the spectators.” The mother-of-two praised the efforts of lifeguards and bystanders but said the incident had left her “numb”. “Now, I feel quite numb. “The lifeguards were really amazing though. I estimate there were probably around 30-40 people in the water – a mix of what appeared to be personal and public.” Local policing commander for Windsor and Maidenhead, Superintendent Michael Greenwood of Thames Valley Police, said: “My thoughts are with the family and friends of the girl who died as a result of this tragic incident. “We are in the early stages of investigating this incident to understand the full circumstances. “There was an immediate response from all emergency services and after an extensive search of the lake, the girl, who was 11, was located at around 5.10pm and taken to hospital but sadly died. “This has been an extremely traumatic and upsetting incident for all involved. “I know many members of the public went into the lake shortly after the girl went in hard, but they were unable to locate her. “I would like to congratulate them for their courage and bravery. “My sincere condolences go out to the girl’s family and friends and I would ask that their privacy be respected at this incredibly traumatic and painful time for them.” A witness said the girl was seen going under the water and “didn’t come back up”, prompting lifeguards to rush in. She was with a group of friends celebrating another girl’s birthday when she disappeared, they said. Emergency services including Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service, Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service, Surrey Fire and Rescue Service and South Central Ambulance Service were at the scene on Saturday afternoon. The girl’s death is being treated as unexplained and an investigation has been launched, Thames Valley Police said. Although no official identification has yet been made, the girl’s relatives have been informed and are being offered police support.
