An 11-year-old girl has died in hospital after getting into trouble at a Windsor water park, police said.
The youngster, who has not yet been formally identified, had gone missing on Saturday afternoon after entering a lake at Liquid Leisure near Datchet in Berkshire.
The girl’s death is being treated as unexplained and an investigation has been launched.
Police were called around 4pm to reports of a girl in distress at the water park.
About an hour later, the young woman was found and taken to Wexham Park Hospital where she was pronounced dead.
The girl’s family has been informed, Thames Valley Police said.
Superintendent Michael Greenwood, local area policing commander for Windsor and Maidenhead, said: “This has been an extremely traumatic and disturbing incident for all involved.”
“I know several members of the public went into the lake shortly after the girl got into trouble, but they couldn’t locate her.
“I would like to congratulate them on their courage and bravery.”
Members of the public were asked to call out the girl’s name, and staff asked patrons for goggles to look for her underwater, according to witnesses.
Officers worked with Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service, Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service, Surrey Fire and Rescue Service and South Central Ambulance Service and an extensive search of the girl with the support of the national police air service.
Thames Valley Air Ambulance said a helicopter was dispatched to provide advanced critical care.
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A witness, who had been at the park with her children, told Sky News the girl was seen underwater and “didn’t come back up”.
He added: “At that point the paramedics came running.
“She was with a group of friends for a girl’s birthday.”