Thousands raised after schoolgirl dies in lake tragedy

A fundraiser set up for the family of a 15-year-old girl who died in a lake tragedy has passed its target.

Teenager Erin died after getting into difficulty in water in Carr Mill Dam, St Helens, on Thursday, June 1.

Emergency services, including Merseyside Police, Merseyside Fire and Rescue and North West Ambulance Service were all called to the scene at around 12.30pm.

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Officers entered the water in a bid to find the 15-year-old who had been swimming with friends when she got into difficulty.

Tragically, despite the best efforts of emergency services, the teenager died.

Erin's mum, Kirsty Madden, paid tribute to her daughter who she said was "capable of anything" and had her "whole life ahead of her" before her death in an emotional tribute.

The mum shared her heartache on the St Helens Borough Council Facebook page, after the local authority warned people of the dangers of swimming in open water following Erin's death at Carr Mill Dam yesterday.

In a comment on the council's page, she said: "This dam needs draining my daughter lost her life in there yesterday. How many more times does this need to keep happening to children until something is done.

"My girl had her whole life ahead of her she was capable of anything and it's all been ripped away. We are all devastated beyond words and my life will never be the same again. I love you Erin with my heart and soul forever and always."

A GoFundMe page was also set up in memory of Erin and to help her family. The page shared pictures of Erin and was set up by Toni Ward, who posted that she was a friend of the family and described Erin as "a beautiful soul."

She said: "My friend and her family lost