Teen dies after getting into difficulty in River Wyre

Paul Burnell
BBC News, Garstang
BBC Stretch of water with metal fencing to one side and a grass verge on the other. There is a bridge over the water.BBC
Witnesses told the BBC the stretch of river is considered dangerous and previous warnings had been issued.

A teenage boy has died after getting into difficulty in the River Wyre.

Lancashire Police said the incident happened in a section of the river near Garstang Cricket Club at about 14:30 BST on Saturday.

A spokesman said: "Our officers quickly attended and found that a teenage boy was being given CPR by members of the public on the riverbank.

"He was airlifted to hospital in a critical condition but despite the best efforts of medical personnel, he very sadly died yesterday."

A local eyewitness Nick Hill told the BBC: "The area was quickly cordoned off and I saw a police officer interviewing a tearful young girl among a group of backpackers.

"That part of the Wyre is regarded by the Environment Agency as dangerous with several warning signs. It is a few yards beyond the flood control gate, a small area of invitingly calm water before a series of weirs."

The retired journalist added that previously he had seen "young boys leaping in from a high vantage point despite the obvious hazard".

The Environment Agency and Wyre Council have been contacted for a comment.

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