Inquest told of rescue mission to save friends
THE desperate efforts of a girl who jumped in a river to save her friend were recognised by a coroner as he heard how the pair met their tragic death.
Derek Winter told the inquest into the deaths of Chloe Fowler, 14, and Tonibeth Purvis, 15, how they were overcome by the water after they entered the Wear at Fatfield in Washington.
Tonibeth’s “valiant efforts” to save Chloe were acknowledged alongside the rescue mission launched by the emergency services after the pals disappeared in the water.
The tragedy happened as the school summer holidays got under way in July.
An inquest held at Sunderland Civic Centre heard how more than 100 members of the emergency services were drafted in to search for the girls.
A CORONER has ruled that the deaths of two schoolgirls who drowned in the River Wear were tragic accidents.
Friends, passers- by and emergency services tried in vain to save Tonibeth Purvis and Chloe Fowler from fast- flowing water at Fatfield Bridge, near Washington.
But despite their brave efforts, the two teenagers drowned after going into the river on a sunny summer afternoon.
Their bodies were recovered about 100 metres from where they were last seen on July 23.
An inquest in Sunderland yesterday heard more than 100 members of the emergency services took part in the massive rescue bid – including 40 police officers and eight fire appliances.
Detective Inspector Mark Ord told Sunderland Coroner’s Court: “Northumbria Police put every single available police officer to the scene, both uniformed and detectives, as did the fire service and paramedics.
“We tried desperately to find the girls.”
A police dive team, fire service water rescue craft with thermalimaging camera, search dog and police helicopter worked with officers and firefighters to comb the river and its banks, while the girls’ anxious friends and family members looked on.
Chloe, 14, from Shiney Row, got into difficulties after jumping into the river with a friend.
A teenage boy was able to rescue one of the girls, before Tonibeth, 15, from Barmston, went in to try and help Chloe.
A man, believed to be an offduty police officer, swam across the river in a desperate bid to save the pair, after seeing the tragedy unfold while walking with his 11- year- old daughter on the opposite bank.
An angler, who could not swim, tried to reach the girls with a tree branch, while his friend ran for help.
But all their attempts failed and Tonibeth’s body was recovered from the river at 8.49pm.
Chloe’s body was found shortly before 10pm, after being spotted by a police helicopter.
Coroner Derek Winter said Tonibeth had made a “valiant effort” to save her friend.
“These events were traumatic at the time and remain so,” he said.
“They touched the families and the community.
“Chloe jumped into the River Wear and got into difficulties.
“Then Tonibeth, in a valiant effort to save her, got into difficulties.
“Both were overcome by the river and drowned, despite efforts by members of the public and the rescue services.”
He recorded a conclusion both girls had died accidentally.
Sunderland City Council continues to carry out weekly checks of signs and life- saving equipment at the river, which rises and falls quickly with the tide.
Wearside pupils are also to become part of a national water safety project, which launches in June.
Verdict: Accidental death.