Gloucester teenager dies in speedboat tragedy

A teenager girl who died after becoming trapped when a speedboat overturned in Brixham, Devon has been named locally as Emily Gardner from Gloucester.

Friends and family members are using social media sites to pay tribute to the "beautiful" 14-year-old who is thought to have died while on holiday in the seaside town.

Emily is said to have been with her pals, also named locally, as Holly Pritchard and Gemma Gadsden, who were hospitalised following the accident.

The trio were also with one of their father's, not thought to have been Emily's father.

It is thought Emily lived in Gloucester with her family and attended Chosen Hill School, in Churchdown, Gloucester.

Sharon Ashley took to Facebook to write: "My beautiful beautiful niece love you so much sleep tight xxxxx."

Her uncle, Nick Taylor, added: "Good night my amazing beautiful niece x shine bright like a diamond x."

Emergency services were called at 11.44am on Saturday amid reports that a vessel carrying a father, his daughter and two school friends had capsized in Brixham.

The rescue operation saw lifeboats, coastguard teams and a helicopter deployed as well as specialist divers.

Mark Criddle, coxswain of Torbay's RNLI lifeboat, said crews arrived on scene and found a 16ft speedboat upside down with a girl trapped in it.

He added: "We located the girl and brought her on board the lifeboat where she was immediately given first aid by a doctor and paramedic who were members of the lifeboat crew.

"We took the girl back to shore where she was handed into the care of paramedics who took her to hospital.

"The three other people who had been aboard the overturned speedboat were also taken to hospital after being treated at the lifeboat station."

The deceased's identity has not been revealed, although officials confirmed her next of kin had been informed.

Police confirmed inquiries into the tragedy were ongoing and appealed for witnesses to get in touch on 101 quoting 326 02/05/2015.