A SCHOOLGIRL who fell into the water at a reservoir was taking pictures with her dad while enjoying a half-term walk, according to a witness.
The 13-year-old vanished after falling into the water at Baitings Dam near Ripponden, West Yorkshire, yesterday afternoon.
Police and emergency teams have been urgently searching the reservoir to locate the missing teenager, but as of now, they have not found any clues or evidence of her whereabouts.
Observers have shared that the teenager was known for having “a really bright future” and was having a pleasant half-term stroll with her father when the unfortunate incident occurred.
Sue Ferris, aged 80, who has resided in a home with a direct view of the parapet for two decades, assisted in consoling the girl’s family yesterday afternoon following the incident she witnessed.
Mrs Ferris said: “The little girl was posing for photographs before this happened. Her dad had been taking the photographs.”
After speaking to the girl’s family, she said that they told her the teenager was 13 years old and from Halifax, around six miles north-east of the dam.
Mrs Ferris explained: “She had decided that she wanted to walk round the reservoir with her dad because it was half term, but the rest of the family hadn’t wanted to go.
“She had just got into grammar school, they told me. They were very proud of her. She had a really bright future.
“It was just dad and daughter at the reservoir when she fell in. The rest of the family came after the accident.
“Dad had been taking photographs, according to a witness, and he also heard dad screaming and shouting her name after she fell in – but he did not go into the water.
“He had some kind of heart problem and was clutching his chest soon afterwards and was taken away by ambulance.”
Mrs Ferris also criticised the safety at the dam, saying changes had encouraged people to stand on the wall next to the water.
She said: “It is disgraceful that there are no life buoy rings anywhere on the parapet.
“Yorkshire Water added the white metal railings on top of the stone structure some years ago now.
“But it only adds about half a foot to the barrier height and actually helps people to climb onto the wall.
“It gives them something to grip on to.
“All it is doing, is helping people to stand on the wall.”
Mrs Ferris explained that the reservoir is typically much deeper but that recent dry weather had revealed the beach – which is usually submerged.
She said that a firefighter told her yesterday the depth of the water – where the teenager fell – was 140ft.
Mrs Ferris added she comforted the girl’s sister and mother, offering them tea and water as rescue divers trawled the waters.
DESPERATE SEARCH CONTINUES TODAY
Cops had first been called to the reservoir at around 1.20pm on Wednesday, with crews remaining throughout the afternoon and evening to try and find the missing girl.
Police Regional Marine and Underwater Search teams then returned to the dam this morning to recommence their search for the teenager.
Two RIBs (Rigid Inflatable Boats) were seen at the site earlier today, following the teenager’s estimated 30ft fall from the parapet of the dam into the reservoir.
A police cordon is also in place preventing the public from walking around Baitings Dam.
There appears to be no way to climb out of the reservoir other than to swim some considerable distance to the shoreline, while there also appears to be no orange lifebuoy rings on or around the dam wall.
Four West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue crews were seen at the dam yesterday, assisted by Littleborough crew.
And, Yorkshire Ambulance Service confirmed they sent officers from their Hazardous Area Response Team.
A police spokesperson said on Wednesday: “Shortly after 1.17pm this afternoon police were called to a report a girl had fallen into water at Baitings Dam near Ripponden.
“Emergency services are currently on the scene, with searches ongoing to locate the girl.”
Anyone who has any information which could assist ongoing searches is asked to contact Calderdale District Police online or by calling 101 referencing police log 797 of today.
