Woman and child die in Windermere tragedy

A woman and a young girl have died and a man was seriously ill last night after suffering breathing difficulties on a boat.

The alarm was raised at around 4pm when Cumbria Police and an ambulance were called to a private boat at Lake Windermere in the Lake District.

A 36-year-old woman and a 10-year-old girl, both from the Leyland area of Lancashire, were treated at the scene and then air-lifted to Royal Lancaster Infirmary, where both have since died.

The man, who was also on the boat, was still receiving treatment at the Royal Lancaster Infirmary, Cumbria Police said.

A spokeswoman for Cumbria Police said: "Cumbria Police can confirm that at approximately 4pm today, they attended an incident at Lake Windermere, where it was reported that three people on a private boat on Lake Windermere were having serious breathing difficulties.

"Police attended along with an ambulance crew.

"A 36-year-old woman and a 10-year-old girl, both from the Leyland area, were treated at the scene and then air-lifted to Royal Lancaster Infirmary. Unfortunately both have since tragically died.

"A man, who was also on the boat, is still receiving treatment at the Royal Lancaster Infirmary."

The spokeswoman continued: "Police are currently investigating the circumstances of this tragic incident and trying to establish the full facts about what has happened.

"The coroner has been informed."