Schoolgirl, 14, drowned trying to help friend who got into difficulty at angling pond

A young girl tragically died while trying to save a friend who got into trouble in water, an inquest has heard. Lucy Smith died on August 15 last year after coming into difficulty in water in what was described as a 'tragic accident'.

An inquest at Stockport Coroners' Court heard that Copley Academy student Lucy and a group of friends went to Carrbrook Angling ponds off Crowswood Drive in her home town of Stalybridge where they started playing in the water. However, it "very suddenly go wrong".

Lucy's mum, Stacy Wild, tearfully told the inquest that the 14-year-old was 'extremely popular' and a 'well liked person at school'.

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Detective Inspector Steven Horton from Greater Manchester Police gave details of the events which led to the 'tragic accident' of Lucy drowning in the pond. "They were in the area and met up and made a group decision to go to the water. It was a particularly hot day," DI Horton said.

"They were playing and dancing in the water and everyone was in good spirits. Phone footage taken at the time all supports that they were in the water having a good time."

He added that the tone of the footage quickly changes and is turned off when it becomes apparent that someone is in difficulty in the water.

"They were all playing in the water when one of her friends got into difficulty and Lucy had gone to try and assist her. As she was trying to help she got into trouble and her friends tried to help her but she had gone under the water and didn't surface," DI Horton said.

DI Horton added that friends told him that Lucy was not a particularly good swimmer with the coroner, Christopher Morris, concluding that