Advertisement

  1. National

Tributes to British schoolgirl after swimming tragedy on France trip

Tributes have been paid to a schoolgirl who died in a swimming accident on a school trip to France.

Jessica Lawson, 12, from Wolfreton School in Hull, was one of 24 students at an activity resort near Meymac in the Massif Central region of the country.

An investigation has been launched into the circumstances of her death.

Her family said she was "the most beautiful and outgoing girl", while the school's headteacher said her death was a "dreadful shock".

View all 11 updates ›

France 'opens inquiry' into death of Jessica Lawson

The activity resort near Meymac in France where the tragedy happened. Credit: PA

An inquiry has reportedly been opened in France to determine if 12-year-old Jessica Lawson's death was "simply an accident" or not.

The youngster was on a school trip when she died in what has been described as a "swimming incident".

Mehdi Razine, a worker at the activity centre where the tragedy happened, said he saw a plastic pontoon on the lake flip over.

"There was a girl who suffered a nasty blow as it turned and she fell into the water."

French journalist Julien Balidas told ITV News Calendar it was a diving board which had collapsed and Jessica "didn't get out".

The other children on the trip are thought to be returning to the UK this afternoon.

More top news