6 days ago
Girl, 13, is missing after plunging from a reservoir dam in front of her horrified father while taking a photograph
A 13-year-old girl is missing after plunging from a reservoir dam in front of her horrified father while taking a photograph.
The pair were visiting their favourite beauty spot at the start of the school holidays when tragedy struck on Wednesday.
Today as a frantic search of the reservoir - 160ft high Batings Dam, near Ripponden - continued as an uncle revealed what happened to the school girl.
The relative, a cabbie who did not want to be named, said: 'It is absolutely tragic. My poor 13 year old niece was just taking a photograph when she toppled off the dam wall to the water below.
'I think she hit her head as she has fallen.'
The dam wall stands about 60ft or 70ft above the water line, which is is low due to recent weather conditions.
He continued: 'The family often come here together. Normally, mum, dad all the kids come here. The family went for a lovely walk here last week.
'As as I heard she had fallen into the water I rushed up here to see if I could help in the search.'
Police flew drones and put out three boats out before the search was called off at 7.30pm on Wednesday.
The scene was cordoned and more dinghies arrived today to resume the search but bad weather conditions have hampered the search.
Wind was making the water extremely choppy, according to locals.
The relative said: 'She was only there with her dad to mark the start of the school holidays with her dad.
'She is a lovely girl - so kind and caring. We felt so helpless not being able to join the search but there was a police cordon.'
There are signs saying 'Cold Water Kills' near the scene of the tragedy and others warning 'No Swimming'.
A painstaking forensic examination was started last night into the cause of the tragedy.
