North Yorkshire tragedy: 10‑year-old girl dies in mudslide
Leah Harrison died in a mudslide in North Yorkshire, England. The rescue operation involved 30 mountain rescuers. The family of the deceased said she was a "happy, energetic, and joyful little girl."
A tragic accident occurred in the town of Carlton-in-Cleveland, England. According to the official press release from North Yorkshire Police, one person died as a result of the mudslide, while no one else was injured. The incident took place after 12:00 PM GMT on Wednesday.
The victim was identified as 10-year-old Leah Harrison, who was participating in a school trip to Carlton Adventure, an outdoor educational centre. The centre's operations have been suspended until the investigation is concluded.
Both North Yorkshire Police and the Health and Safety Executive are conducting an investigation to clarify the circumstances of this tragic event, BBC reports.
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Accident at Carlton Bank: 30 rescuers dispatched
Leah and other students went on the trip just after completing tests the previous week. Managing director of Hartlepool Borough Council, Denise McGuckin, confirmed that the tragic incident occurred during a guided hill walk on Carlton Bank. At that time, a mudslide caused by heavy rainfall occurred.
As many as 30 mountain rescuers from the Cleveland Mountain Rescue Team were dispatched to the site of the incident. One of them, Gary Clarke, told the BBC that he is extremely proud of the "resilience" of the rescue team. He stated that this accident was "very difficult" for them.
This case, especially given the circumstances and Leah's young age, will remain in our memory for a long time. It will be difficult to come to terms with, but ultimately our thoughts are primarily with Leah's family and friends, said rescuer Gary Clarke.
She died in a mudslide
Leah Harrison was a Year 6 student at Mount Pleasant Primary School in Darlington. The 10-year-old had her whole life ahead of her. The tragic accident shocked the entire school community. The girl's family issued a special statement posted on the North Yorkshire Police website.
The deceased's family wrote that Leah Harrison was a happy, energetic, and joyful girl. "She had a beautiful smile, a dizzying laugh, and silly jokes. Never, never forget you, my daughter. Spread your wings. Rest in paradise," they wrote.
