Death of 11-Year-Old Girl at Water Park as Unlawful Killing, coroner finds

An 11-year-old girl who tragically drowned during a birthday party at a water park was described by her father as a “beautiful, beaming beacon of light” during an inquest where the coroner concluded she was unlawfully killed.

Kyra Hill encountered difficulties in a designated swimming area at Liquid Leisure, near Windsor in Berkshire, on 6 August 2022. On Tuesday, senior coroner Heidi Connor found that the incident resulted from serious health and safety failures at the park.

Her father, Leonard Hill, became emotional as he delivered a heartfelt tribute to his daughter. He described her as having “bright and beautiful eyes” and a “warm, sweet smile” that charmed everyone she met. He said Kyra was a determined and principled young girl who would always stand up for justice, confront bullies, and protect her friends with deep compassion and empathy.

A passionate Manchester United fan, Kyra had ambitions of becoming a professional footballer. If that dream didn’t materialize, she planned to study law and become a lawyer who stood up for truth and justice, once telling her father she would “never defend evil people in court.”

Following the coroner’s ruling, Mr. Hill addressed the media outside the courtroom. He said summer should be a time for joy and making cherished memories, not a period marked by grief and loss. He urged immediate reforms to prevent similar tragedies, saying that Kyra’s death highlighted the urgent need for safer practices at leisure parks.

He called for action: “Kyra’s life was full of strength and resilience. Her memory must inspire change. No parent should face this kind of pain, and no child’s life should be so carelessly lost. The time for change is now — for Kyra, and for every family visiting these parks in the future.”

During the inquest, it was revealed that although a lifeguard saw Kyra in distress and attempted to help, they left the water to alert colleagues. A manager arrived shortly after, but it took 37 minutes before emergency services were contacted.

Evidence showed that the park’s owner had first attempted to call a divemaster and an off-duty firefighter, Chris Knight, who missed several phone calls. CCTV footage indicated that Knight didn’t enter the water until more than an hour after Kyra had first been seen struggling.

The coroner also criticized the park’s lack of safety signage and protocols. No warnings indicated the lake’s deep areas, which reached over 15 feet in depth; in fact, the only sign present warned of shallow water. There were also no guidelines advising parents or guardians to supervise children in a specific ratio, and young children were allowed to swim without life jackets.

The coroner noted the absence of an emergency response plan or risk assessments to address these clear dangers and said that proper control measures were never implemented.

Delivering her conclusion, Connor addressed the family directly: “Throughout this process, I have not forgotten that this is about your 11-year-old daughter, Kyra. I can only imagine how painful it has been to hear this evidence. I offer you my deepest condolences.”