Body of a teenage girl found at a beauty spot near Wigan

Emergency services rushed to Carr Mill Dam at around 12.30pm today (June 1) following concerns for the teenager’s safety.

Search and rescue crews were spotted working in the water while people were urged to stay away from the area.

Merseyside Police Chief Insp for St Helens Paul Holden confirmed that the body of a teenage girl has now been found.

The death is not being treated as suspicious and a file is being prepared for the coroner.

He said: "At around 12.30 this afternoon, Thursday, June 1, emergency services were called to reports of concerns for safety of a teenage girl who got into distress while swimming with friends in Carr Mill Dam in St Helens.

"Upon their arrival at the scene, officers entered the water in attempts to find the teenage girl.

“They were joined by officers from Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service.

"Unfortunately despite their best efforts, the search culminated in the recovery of the girl's body.

“Next of kin have been aware and specialist family liaison officers will be appointed to support the family at this very sad and tragic time.

""Our sincere condolences go to the girl's family and I would appeal to anyone who was visiting Carr Mill Dam at around midday onwards to please get in touch so we can ascertain what happened and provide her family with answers.

"When the schools return for the summer term our schools officers will work with St Helens Council to ensure that we are able to educate young people about the dangers of water.

"We know how tempting it can be to cool down in the water on a hot summers day, but we want to ensure that young people are equipped with the right knowledge to keep them safe around water."

St Helens Area Manager for Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service, Kevin Longshaw, said: “Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service mobilised four fire engines at 12.30pm to reports of a young person who had come into difficulty in the water at Carr Mill Dam.

"Firefighters in water kit entered the dam to search. They were assisted with an airborne drone and an underwater drone.

"Working jointly with our police and ambulance colleagues, we were able to establish the location of the young person and tragically were able to confirm that a body was recovered shortly after.

"Our thoughts are very much with the family and all those affected by this tragic incident.”

North West Ambulance Service, Sector Manager for the area, Nick Sutcliffe said: “We would like to offer our condolences to the family – no words can express how devasted we are to have to share this tragic news.

“The trust was called to the incident at 12.30 this afternoon (June 1), with the first resource arriving on scene within four minutes.

"Other specialist resources arrived soon after - including advanced paramedics, ambulance crews, air ambulance and our Hazard Area Resource Team – commonly known as HART.

“HART assisted Merseyside Fire and Rescue with the in water search and rescue operation but, as we sadly now know, the outcome confirmed our worst fears and our thoughts are with the family and friends of the victim.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 or DM @MerPolCC quoting reference 466 of June 1.

Alternatively you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.If you're heading to the beach, a lake or reservoir to cool off in this warm weather, please remember to be water aware.

Safety advice is available online from Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service here