A 13-year-old girl has tragically died after being rescued from the River Wharfe near Burnsall in Skipton, North Yorkshire, on Sunday evening. She is the 17th person reported to have died in open water across the UK during the recent heatwave.
Desperate Rescue Attempts
Members of the public rushed to help the teenager after she was reported missing in the river at around 6:30pm on 31 May 2026. Despite their courageous efforts, the girl was pulled from the water and flown to hospital by air ambulance, where she later died. North Yorkshire Police expressed gratitude to those who assisted at the scene.
Police Statement
A police spokesperson said: 'At around 6.30pm on Sunday 31 May 2026, emergency services were called to the River Wharfe near Burnsall in the Skipton area after a 13-year-old girl was reported missing in the river. A short time later she was rescued from the water and taken to hospital by air ambulance. Despite the efforts of members of the public at the scene and medical staff at the scene and in hospital, she sadly died.'
The spokesperson added: 'At this stage we are not in a position to release her identity. Our thoughts remain with her family at this very distressing time and we ask members of the public and the media to respect the family’s privacy and allow them to grieve in peace. Our thanks go to the members of the public who helped at the scene.'
Heatwave Drowning Spate
The girl's death adds to a growing number of open-water fatalities during the UK heatwave, with at least 17 people reported to have died in similar incidents. Authorities continue to urge caution near rivers, lakes, and other open water bodies, especially during hot weather when many seek to cool off.
