© Tom Blewitt – Predator Awareness

A four-year-old girl has tragically died following an incident at Waterworld in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, police have confirmed.

Emergency services were called to the popular leisure venue on Festival Way at approximately 4:20pm on Monday, 4 August, after reports emerged of a child in critical condition at the swimming pool.

Staff from Waterworld, alongside paramedics from West Midlands Ambulance Service, provided immediate treatment at the scene. The girl was then transported to hospital for further care but sadly passed away a short time later.

Staffordshire Police have stated that the child’s next of kin have been informed and are receiving support from specially-trained officers.

Detective Inspector Lucy Maskew expressed condolences, saying: 

“Our thoughts are with the family at this terribly sad time. We are now making enquiries and looking to establish the circumstances of the incident. We would ask that members of the public avoid speculating in these early stages of the investigation and allow the family to grieve.”

Waterworld has also issued a statement in response to the tragedy: 

“It is with great sadness that we learned of this little girl’s passing this evening. All our thoughts are with her family and loved ones during these extremely difficult times. Waterworld is in shock and has decided to remain closed tomorrow out of respect for the family. Waterworld is working closely with the authorities at this sad time.”

The circumstances surrounding the incident remain under investigation. Authorities have urged the public to respect the privacy of the grieving family and refrain from speculation.

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