Latest news with #LeonardHill
Daily Mail
24-05-2025
- Daily Mail
Grieving family of girl, 11, who drowned at waterpark which had no signs warning of deep water say they never received an apology - after coroner ruled she was unlawfully killed
The grieving family of an 11-year-old schoolgirl who drowned at a waterpark which had no signs warning of deep water have demanded an apology after accusing the company of showing 'no remorse'. Kyra Hill got into difficulty in a designated swimming area at Liquid Leisure near Windsor, Berkshire, on August 6 2022 while enjoying a birthday party. She did not return to the changing room, sparking 'chaos' as parents and staff started screaming her name across the Total Wipeout-style assault course. Despite emergency services being called, Kyra was not rescued for almost two hours after which she was taken to Wexham Park Hospital, in Slough, where she was pronounced dead. Senior coroner Heidi Connor concluded that Kyra had been unlawfully killed following gross health and safety breaches at the park. Now Kyra's parents, Leonard Hill and Heather Parker, have criticised the company and said they find it 'distasteful' that they have never received an apology from them two years after their devastating loss. In an interview with Sky News after the inquest, Mr Hill said: 'Liquid Leisure have never been in touch with me personally, never sent us a word of condolence not even an email to say sorry for your loss. Nothing. And I find that very distasteful of them.' The grieving father said although an apology can't bring back his little girl but he would have appreciated the gesture, adding: 'A young girl has died on your premises - 11 years old and she should've been safe. Kyra's parents Leonard Hill and Heather Parker (pictured) have criticised the company and said they have never received an apology or any words of condolence Senior coroner Heidi Connor concluded that Kyra had been unlawfully killed following gross health and safety breaches at the park 'And you've acknowledged some of your failings but to turn around and do the gracious thing and apologise, it wouldn't have brought Kyra back but it would have shown a small source of remorse. 'But they've not done that.' MailOnline has contacted Liquid Leisure for comment. The coroner pointed to failings in health and safety measures at Liquid Leisure in relation to Kyra's death. The breaches were linked to the depth and visibility of the water and the absence of an emergency plan and risk assessment, she found. There were no signs warning of deep water despite it reaching 4.67 metres in parts of the designated swimming area, Ms Conner said. 'In fact the only sign present warned of shallow water', she added. Parents and carers were not advised to attend with children in a ratio of one to four, and young children were permitted to swim without buoyancy aids, Ms Connor said. There was also no emergency plan or risk assessment that took those factors into account, and no control measures were identified and put in place to 'take account of these clear risks', she said. In the interview with Sky, Mr Hill described the terrible moment he was told of the death of his daughter. He said: 'It's the most disturbing phone call I've ever received in my life, the most disturbing phone call that Kyra is underwater, that Kyra is missing.' He added that he didn't want to believe it could have been her and said he still held out hope that she would be found alive. He said: 'I was hoping Kyra was washed up on a bank somewhere safe and breathing. I could never have imagined she went down and was left in the same spot for two hours. 'It's a horrible call to receive. I remember it like it was yesterday but to hear that your daughter is underwater - you're searching online how long can someone survive underwater? 'You can see that within ten minutes they can come out brain damaged but there's still a chance of survival. 'I remain of the stance she could've been saved and she should've been saved and if Liquid Leisure had emergency plans in place she could have been saved and they didn't and that's very sad.' The lake was 8.8ft deep where Kyra was seen going under, a report carried out after the incident found. At around 3.20pm on August 6 2022, a 17-year-old lifeguard spotted Kyra struggling and dived in after her before leaving the water to radio her colleagues. A manager attended rapidly but 37 minutes passed before 999 was called, Mrs Connor previously told the hearing. Around 13 minutes before emergency services were contacted, the park owner attempted to phone a divemaster and off-duty firefighter, the inquest had heard. The diver, Chris Knight, missed several calls and CCTV showed him first entering the water with an oxygen tank at 4.33pm. Mr Knight previously told the inquest that he searched two parts of the lake before he was told that CCTV showed Kyra going under at another location. He found Kyra near the third area at around 5.09pm. He said that as far as he was aware no-one had looked at the CCTV by the time he arrived at the park. Describing his daughter, Mr Hill said: 'Kyra was my princess, she was the perfect child, she did everything right she made me so proud. 'I look at Kyra's pictures everyday and its breaks me. I have to stand at her graveside to speak to her now and it breaks me, going over those days are sickening.' Her mother, Ms Parker described her daughter as happy and positive, choking back tears she add: 'Kyra was just happy she was always happy, always active from the moment she woke up she was just a bundle of joy, always positive. 'She was loving, so loving she always wanted to help people do what was right.' The distraught parents are now demanding changes to the regulations around water parks to prevent against future deaths. Mr Hill told Sky News that seeing an improvement in the law is something he thinks Kyra would be proud of, saying: 'Nothing is ever going to bring Kyra back but I want to see the change implemented by those in power who have the power.' He concluded the interview by saying: 'She would have wanted change and to know she did not die in vain she would be smiling from the heavens to know the law was changed and no other children suffered the pain she did.'
The Independent
20-05-2025
- The Independent
Father of girl drowned in waterpark calls on PM to ‘overhaul safety regulations'
The father of an 'exceptional' 11-year-old girl who drowned at a waterpark has called on the Prime Minister to 'overhaul the safety regulations' covering such sites. Kyra Hill got into difficulty in a designated swimming area at Liquid Leisure near Windsor, Berkshire, on August 6 2022. Senior coroner Heidi Connor concluded the girl had been unlawfully killed following gross health and safety breaches at the park. Speaking outside Berkshire Coroner's Court after the verdict on Tuesday, Kyra's father said the schoolgirl was 'a remarkably strong swimmer, and exceptional, a true champion in the water'. Leonard Hill told reporters: 'Today, I call upon Keir Starmer and the UK Government to take immediate, decisive action to overhaul the safety regulations surrounding aquaparks across the country – unless they do so, more lives may be tragically lost. 'Kyra's death is a devastating reminder that the current regime of safety measures is shamefully inadequate, leaving families who lose children to bear the brunt of terrible grief. 'Unknowingly, we allow our children to happily visit leisure parks that create the illusion that they are safe.' Lifeguards who were at the park when the incident occurred were only trained to carry out surface rescues in the water, the inquest had heard. Mr Hill said the lifeguards were 'ill-equipped, unprepared for the reality of a submerged person in distress'. 'Had we or any family been aware of this grave limitation, we would have known to keep our children far away from such peril. 'The devastating loss of Kyra should serve as a clear, urgent warning: This is a colossal, life-threatening problem that demands immediate action.' The breaches by Liquid Leisure that led to Kyra's death related to the depth and visibility of the water and the absence of an emergency plan and risk assessment, the coroner found. There was no emergency plan or protocol in place at Liquid Leisure for someone going missing in the water. No signs warned of deep water despite it reaching 4.67 metres (more than 15ft) in parts and young children were permitted to swim without buoyancy aids. No risk assessment was in place that took those factors into account, Mrs Connor said. Kyra's father continued: 'It is essential that we implement stringent safety protocols, including risk assessments for missing persons in water, detailed rescue procedures and adequate staffing for submerged rescues.' No divers were on-site and an off-duty firefighter who lived nearby was called in to assist the search for Kyra. Liquid Leisure owner and director Stuart Marston, who phoned divemaster Chris Knight, later accepted that Mr Knight was the only option. Mr Knight found Kyra at around 5.09pm. She was last seen alive at 3.20pm. Mr Hill said: 'Companies must employ divers on-site, equipped and ready at all times, or staff trained to underwater rescue standards, with a minimum of two specially-trained personnel present at all times. 'CCTV operatives should be present to monitor the water and locate anyone in distress swiftly, enabling rapid rescue before tragedy occurs.' He continued: 'Summer should be a time of joy and creating happy memories with family and friends – it should never end in tragedy. 'It should never mark the day we mourn our children's lives lost in places where they should have been safe. 'The terrible reality is that, without urgent reform, more families will face these devastating goodbyes.' Mr Hill added: 'No parent should endure this pain, and no child's life should be sacrificed so recklessly.
Telegraph
20-05-2025
- Telegraph
Girl drowned at deep water park pool where only warning was about shallow area
An 11-year-old girl who drowned during a birthday party at a water park was unlawfully killed, a coroner has found. Kyra Hill got into difficulty in a designated swimming area at Liquid Leisure near Windsor, Berkshire, on Aug 6, 2022. Senior coroner Heidi Connor concluded Kyra had been unlawfully killed following gross health and safety breaches at the park. The breaches relate to the depth and visibility of the water and the absence of an emergency plan and risk assessment, she found. There were no signs warning of deep water despite it reaching 4.67 metres (more than 15ft) in parts of the swimming area, Mrs Connor said. 'In fact the only sign present warned of shallow water,' she added. Parents and carers were not advised to attend with children in a ratio of one to four, and young children were permitted to swim without buoyancy aids, the coroner said. There was also no emergency plan or risk assessment that took those factors into account, and no control measures were identified and put in place to 'take account of these clear risks', she ruled. Man Utd fan 'captivated hearts' Leonard Hill, Kyra's father, fought back tears as he read a pen portrait of his daughter to the inquest. 'Kyra was a beautiful, beaming beacon of light in the lives of all who were fortunate enough to know her,' he said. 'With her naturally enchanting, bright and beautiful eyes – paired with the softest, sweetest and warmest smile – she captivated hearts effortlessly. 'A spirited individual, Kyra was resolute in her beliefs. She would stand up for what was right without hesitation, always the first to challenge a bully or defend a friend. 'Guided by an unwavering moral compass, she was a protector at heart, fiercely caring for her loved ones and always considering the feelings of others.' His Manchester United-supporting daughter dreamed of becoming a professional footballer. 'Had that dream not become her reality, she had her back-up plan to pursue law and become a lawyer and fight for the truth, stating that she would 'never defend evil people in court',' he said. At around 3.20pm on Aug 6, 2022, a 17-year-old lifeguard spotted Kyra struggling and dived in after her before leaving the water to radio her colleagues. A manager attended rapidly but 37 minutes passed before 999 was called, Mrs Connor previously told the hearing. Around 13 minutes before emergency services were contacted, the park owner attempted to phone a divemaster and off-duty firefighter, the inquest had heard. The diver, Chris Knight, missed several calls and CCTV showed him first entering the water with an oxygen tank at 4.33pm. Mr Knight previously told the inquest he searched two parts of the lake before he was told that CCTV showed Kyra going under at another location. He found Kyra near the third area at around 5.09pm. He said that as far as he was aware no one had looked at the CCTV by the time he arrived at the park. Giving her conclusions, Mrs Connor said: 'Members of the family, at no point have I forgotten that this was about your 11-year-old, Kyra, and I am so very sorry that you are here today. 'It must have been incredibly difficult to sit in court and hear some of the evidence that we've heard. I offer all of you my heartfelt condolences.'
The Guardian
20-05-2025
- The Guardian
Girl, 11, who drowned at water park was unlawfully killed, coroner finds
An 11-year-old girl who drowned during a birthday party at a water park was a 'beautiful, beaming beacon of light', her father told an inquest where a coroner found she was unlawfully killed. Kyra Hill got into difficulty in a designated swimming area in a lake at Liquid Leisure near Windsor, in Berkshire, on 6 August 2022. On Tuesday the senior coroner Heidi Connor said there had been gross health and safety breaches at the park. Kyra's father, Leonard Hill, fought back tears as he read a pen portrait of his daughter to the inquest. 'With her naturally enchanting, bright and beautiful eyes, paired with the softest, sweetest and warmest smile, she captivated hearts effortlessly. 'A spirited individual, Kyra was resolute in her beliefs. She would stand up for what was right without hesitation, always the first to challenge a bully or defend a friend. Guided by an unwavering moral compass, she was a protector at heart, fiercely caring for her loved ones and always considering the feelings of others.' His Manchester United-supporting daughter had dreamed of being a footballer. 'Had that dream not become her reality, she had her backup plan to pursue law and become a lawyer and fight for the truth, stating that she would 'never defend evil people in court',' he said. Speaking outside the court after the coroner made her finding, he added: 'Summer should be a time of joy and creating happy memories with family and friends. It should never end in tragedy, should never mark the day we mourn our children's lives, lost in places where they should have been safe. 'The terrible reality is that, without urgent reform, more families will face these devastating goodbyes. Kyra's life was a shining example of resilience and strength. Her memory demands that we demand safer standards now. 'No parent should endure this pain, and no child's life should be sacrificed so recklessly. We must act today for Kyra, and for every family that visits these leisure parks tomorrow. The time for words has passed. Now is the moment for action.' The inquest heard that a lifeguard spotted Kyra in trouble and dived in after her, before getting out to radio colleagues. A manager got there quickly but 37 minutes passed before 999 was called. Shortly before that, the park's owner tried to phone a divemaster and off-duty firefighter, the inquest heard. The diver, Chris Knight, missed several calls, and CCTV showed him first entering the water more than an hour after Kyra had first been seen struggling. The coroner said there were no signs warning of deep water, despite it reaching 4.67 metres (more than 15ft) in parts. 'In fact the only sign present warned of shallow water,' she said. Parents and carers were not advised to attend with children in a ratio of one to four, and young children were permitted to swim without buoyancy aids, the coroner said. There was also no emergency plan or risk assessment that took those factors into account, and no control measures were identified and put in place to 'take account of these clear risks', she ruled. Giving her conclusions, Connor said: 'Members of the family, at no point have I forgotten that this was about your 11-year-old, Kyra, and I am so very sorry that you are here today. It must have been incredibly difficult to sit in court and hear some of the evidence that we've heard. I offer all of you my heartfelt condolences.'
The Independent
20-05-2025
- The Independent
Schoolgirl who drowned at water park was unlawfully killed, coroner rules
An 11-year-old girl who drowned during a birthday party at a water park was unlawfully killed, a coroner has found. Kyra Hill got into difficulty in a designated swimming area at Liquid Leisure near Windsor, Berkshire, on August 6 2022. Senior coroner Heidi Connor concluded the youngster had been unlawfully killed following gross health and safety breaches at the park. The breaches relate to the depth and visibility of the water and the absence of an emergency plan and risk assessment, she found. There were no signs warning of deep water despite it reaching 4.67 metres (more than 15ft) in parts of the designated swimming area, Mrs Connor said. 'In fact the only sign present warned of shallow water,' she added. Parents and carers were not advised to attend with children in a ratio of one to four, and young children were permitted to swim without buoyancy aids, the coroner said. There was also no emergency plan or risk assessment that took those factors into account, and no control measures were identified and put in place to 'take account of these clear risks', she ruled. Mrs Connor said: 'The two gross breaches before Kyra went into the water are likely to have caused or contributed more than minimally to her death.' Her father, Leonard Hill, fought back tears as he read a pen portrait of his daughter to the inquest. 'Kyra was a beautiful, beaming beacon of light in the lives of all who were fortunate enough to know her,' he said. 'With her naturally enchanting, bright and beautiful eyes – paired with the softest, sweetest and warmest smile – she captivated hearts effortlessly. 'A spirited individual, Kyra was resolute in her beliefs. She would stand up for what was right without hesitation, always the first to challenge a bully or defend a friend. 'Guided by an unwavering moral compass, she was a protector at heart, fiercely caring for her loved ones and always considering the feelings of others.' His Manchester United-supporting daughter dreamed of becoming a professional footballer. 'Had that dream not become her reality, she had her back-up plan to pursue law and become a lawyer and fight for the truth, stating that she would 'never defend evil people in court',' he said. At around 3.20pm on August 6 2022, a 17-year-old lifeguard spotted Kyra struggling and dived in after her before leaving the water to radio her colleagues. There was then a 10-minute period where no staff were searching the area where Kyra was seen going under. Lifeguards searched other parts of the lake instead, following incorrect reports by members of the public that she had gone elsewhere. A manager attended rapidly but around 37 minutes passed between Kyra going underwater and 999 being called, Mrs Connor previously told the inquest. Around 13 minutes before emergency services were contacted, the park owner attempted to phone a divemaster and off-duty firefighter, the inquest had heard. The diver, Chris Knight, missed several calls and CCTV showed him first entering the water with an oxygen tank at 4.33pm. Mr Knight previously told the inquest that he searched two parts of the lake before he was told that CCTV showed Kyra going under at another location. He found Kyra near the third area at around 5.09pm. Mrs Connor said: 'CCTV was not reviewed in order to check Kyra's whereabouts when the search for her began. 'This option may well have been covered in an emergency procedure, had there been one.' Giving her conclusions, she added: 'Members of the family, at no point have I forgotten that this was about your 11-year-old Kyra, and I am so very sorry that you are here today. 'It must have been incredibly difficult to sit in court and hear some of the evidence that we've heard. I offer all of you my heartfelt condolences.' Harvinder Kaur, director at Fieldfisher – the law firm that represented the Hill family, said: 'We are grateful to the coroner for exposing the failings that occurred in the lead up to Kyra's death. 'We hope now that there will be positive change in the industry to prevent future deaths.' A Thames Valley Police spokesperson said in a statement: 'Our thoughts remain with the loved ones of Kyra Hill following her tragic death at Liquid Leisure near Datchet on 6 August 2022. 'We note the ruling from the coroner following the inquest into Kyra's death and we will be liaising with the coroner's office. 'We conducted a thorough investigation into Kyra's death at the time, before handing a file to the coroner and the local authority.'
