Missing girl, 13, who fell into Baitings Dam reservoir was 'taking photos with dad'

A schoolgirl who vanished after falling into a reservoir was taking pictures with her dad while the pair were on a walk, witnesses have said.

Emergency services have been the reservoir since, with no luck so far. Witnesses told how the 13-year-old had "a really bright future" and was out on a half-term walk with her dad when she fell over the parapet. Her father was then led away in an ambulance after he appeared to be clutching his chest in pain whilst screaming out her name. Sue Ferris, 80, whose home overlooks the bridge, went to comfort girl’s yesterday afternoon after witnessing the tragedy.

She said: "The little girl was posing for photographs before this happened. Her dad had been taking the photographs. It is disgraceful that there are no life buoy rings anywhere on the parapet.

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"Yorkshire Water added the white metal railings on top of the stone structure some years ago now," Mrs Ferris told the Sun. "But it only adds about half a foot to the barrier height and actually helps people to climb onto the wall. It gives them something to grip on to. All it is doing, is helping people to stand on the wall."

Police were called to the reservoir at around 1.20pm on Wednesday, with search teams deployed until the evening to find the missing girl. Police Regional Marine and Underwater Search teams have returned to the dam today to continue their search.

Mrs Ferris, who spoke to the girl's family, said they told her the teenager wanted to walk around the reservoir with her dad because it was half term.

"She had just got into grammar school, they told me. They were very proud of her. She had a really bright future," Mrs Ferris said. "It was just dad and daughter at the reservoir when she fell in. The rest of the family came after the accident.

"Dad had been taking photographs, according to a witness, and he also heard dad screaming and shouting her name after she fell in - but he did not go into the water.

"He had some kind of heart problem and was clutching his chest soon afterwards and was taken away by ambulance."

A police spokesperson said on Wednesday: "Shortly after 1.17pm this afternoon police were called to a report a girl had fallen into water at Baitings Dam near Ripponden. Emergency services are currently on the scene, with searches ongoing to locate the girl."

Members of the public who have any information which may assist the ongoing searches are being asked to contact Calderdale District Police online, or call 101 referencing police log 797 of today.