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A tragic incident unfolded on 31 May when thirteen-year-old Palwasha Akbar drowned while celebrating her birthday with her family at the River Wharfe in Burnsall, North Yorkshire. Although she was rescued from the water, she later succumbed to her injuries in hospital. Palwasha was meant to turn 14 the following day, a milestone that, according to her father Irshad Akbar, turned from a joyful occasion into a heartbreaking loss. He described her as a “God-gifted child” and expressed his shock at the sudden tragedy.
The family had visited the river at Palwasha’s request to enjoy a barbecue by the riverside and to allow the children to play and cool off in the shallow water. Around 18:30 BST, as they were preparing to leave, Palwasha, her sister, and their cousin decided to take a walk. Although Irshad’s wife was following them, she lost sight of the girls in the crowd. Within just a few minutes, the three had ventured into a section of the river with deeper water, which was off-limits at that time.
Both Palwasha and her eleven-year-old sister encountered difficulties in the water. While the younger girl was pulled out to safety by a passer-by, Palwasha was rescued later but tragically died despite medical efforts. Her father called the event a “terrible accident” and shared the profound pain his family was enduring. “It’s a really tough and difficult time. We are not able to manage it yet,” he said, adding, “Everyone is crying for her, everybody is missing her, her teachers, friends, cousins, everyone.”
In the wake of this devastating loss, Palwasha’s family and community have started fundraising efforts to create a positive and lasting tribute in her memory. Irshad Akbar expressed his desire to introduce safety measures around the river, such as life jackets and fencing off the deeper sections, with the goal of preventing similar tragedies. He emphasized the importance of vigilance around water, urging parents to remain close to their children and to be mindful of potential dangers. “Parents, they have a responsibility, to show them and keep them away from danger,” he said, underscoring the urgent need for caution and awareness near water bodies
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