Lillianna Tomlinson Named After Drowning in River Tame Near Kingsbury Water Park
Lillianna Tomlinson, a 16-year-old pupil at Kingsbury School, has been identified as the teenager who died after entering the River Tame, close to Kingsbury Water Park, Warwickshire, on Monday. Her school confirmed the tragic loss.
Headteacher Martin Clarke conveyed the school's profound sadness, stating that support mechanisms, including bereavement counselling and drop-in sessions, are being established for students and staff. A book of condolences will be made available, and the school has appealed for respect for the family’s privacy.
This incident is one of several recent drownings during a period of record high temperatures across England. Authorities report at least six other young people, a man in his sixties, and a woman in her seventies have died in separate incidents at various beauty spots.
The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) has urged families to discuss the inherent dangers of unsupervised open water, such as rivers, lakes, quarries, canals, and reservoirs. Gavin Ellis, NFCC Drowning Prevention Lead, highlighted that cold water shock can affect anyone, regardless of swimming ability, and that many tragedies are preventable.
A family member indicated that Lillianna could not swim and that a teenage boy attempted to rescue her. Warwickshire Police noted prior reports of individuals jumping from a bridge over the river on Monday afternoon, though Lillianna was not among them.
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents advises those in difficulty to float rather than attempt to swim, as cold water can induce shock and impair movement.
