Authors Nathan Briant and Daisy Stephens reported for BBC News that the tragic drowning of an 11-year-old girl at a water park in Berkshire was ruled as unlawfully killed due to gross health and safety breaches. Kyra Hill, from Croydon, south London, encountered difficulties at Liquid Leisure near Windsor on August 6, 2022. Despite emergency services being notified over an hour before she was found, Kyra’s life could not be saved.
During the inquest at Berkshire Coroner’s Court in Reading, it was revealed that the water park lacked an emergency plan and risk assessment, resulting in fatal consequences. Senior coroner Heidi Connor highlighted the absence of proper warning signs indicating water depth, with some areas reaching depths of 4.67 meters. These lapses, along with poor visibility and the lack of parental awareness of safety protocols, were identified as contributing factors to Kyra’s tragic death.
Kyra’s father, Leonard Hill, emotionally shared memories of his daughter’s vibrant spirit at the inquest, emphasizing her exceptional swimming skills. He expressed his determination to advocate for stricter safety regulations at water parks to prevent similar tragedies from occurring. The lifeguard and emergency response timeline were also scrutinized during the proceedings, shedding light on the delays and missteps that hindered the timely rescue efforts for Kyra. Liquid Leisure’s owner, Stuart Marston, acknowledged the gravity of the situation and the chaos that ensued, underscoring the need for swift and decisive action in such emergencies
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
