Liquid Leisure death: Windsor water park to stay closed this week ‘out of respect’

A water park in Berkshire where an 11-year-old died is to remain closed for the rest of the week “out of respect” for her family.

Emergency services were called to Liquid Leisure, in Windsor in Berkshire, at 3.55pm on Saturday (6 August) after the girl was reported missing.

She was found just after 5.10pm and rushed to Wexham Park Hospital, where she died.

Staff had said the aqua assault course would reopen on Tuesday morning, but plans were altered and it will now stay shut until next week.

Liquid Leisure said: “We have decided to remain closed for the remainder of the week out of respect for all the families involved.”

It comes as police have confirmed that the girl's death is 'not suspicious.'

It is now being treated as unexplained and a file will be prepared for the coroner.

Officers are also working with officers from Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead council as they conduct an investigation to determine any potential breaches under relevant health and safety legislation.

The victim’s next of kin continue to be offered support by officers.

Detective Inspector Stuart May, based at Windsor police station, said: “The thoughts of everyone at Thames Valley Police continue to be with the victim’s loved ones after such a tragic incident.

“We have conducted a thorough investigation and have not identified any suspicious circumstances so a file will be prepared for the coroner.

“We have been liaising with the council’s officers who will now take over responsibility for the investigation to determine any potential breaches under relevant health and safety legislation.

“Once again, I would ask that the victim’s family and friends’ privacy is respected at this extremely difficult time.”

A spokesperson for the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead said: "This is a tragic incident and our thoughts and deepest condolences go to the family and friends of the girl during this most difficult time.

“We have been liaising with the police during their stage of the investigation.

“We are now taking over responsibility and conducting a health and safety investigation to determine any potential breaches under relevant health and safety legislation.”

Flowers and messages were seen outside Liquid Leisure’s closed gates on Tuesday as tributes poured in following the girl’s death.

One read: “To a beautiful little girl. I hope you know how hard everyone tried to save you.

“You were just too beautiful for this world. You will always be the brightest star in the night sky forever 11″.

A 41-year-old woman from South Buckinghamshire, who did not want to be named, was at the “busy” water park with her teenage daughter on Saturday, having been several times before.

She said the situation was “an absolute tragedy” for the family and friends of the girl, while she and others at the park felt “shock” and “helplessness” at the scene.

She claimed people were not wearing life jackets and that lifeguards were not paying attention.

The woman said: “We then realised a child was missing as two frantic women ran past screaming the child’s name.

“There seemed to be no plan of action with the LL staff. A few lifeguards jumped into the water and started searching in what appeared to be a very non-methodical way.

“Another member of staff started asking other members of staff if they were lifeguard-trained. No-one appeared to be in charge and there was no co-ordination in managing the situation.

'My daughter said that she didn't feel safe'

“For the adults and children left on the riverside, we didn’t know what to do, there was no communication and no evacuation procedure.

“There is one small entrance and exit at LL and the emergency services arrived quickly and in huge numbers, they couldn’t have done more.

“But because we weren’t told what to do and didn’t want to block their efforts of coming into the park, we just stood by and witnessed the search and rescue divers looking in the water.

“Afterwards my daughter said that she didn’t feel safe on the inflatable – there were areas which had deflated and gaps between obstacles which anyone could have easily slipped down, leaving them underneath the inflatable.”

Although formal identification has yet to take place, the girl’s next of kin have been informed and they are being offered support by officers.

A Liquid Leisure statement said: “Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and all those effected by this desperately tragic and upsetting incident.

“As Thames Valley Police are in the early stages of investigation, it would not be right for us to add further comment, but we will continue to fully support and assist them throughout the process.”

The attraction’s website says: “Liquid Leisure is home to Europe’s largest aqua park and the first official Ninja Warrior UK aqua park, set on one of the most beautiful private freshwater lakes amongst stunning parkland in the heart of Berkshire.”

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.