One of two teenage girls who died in the River Wear only entered the water to rescue her friend, Northumbria Police have confirmed. Tonibeth Purvis, 15, from Barmston, went in to help Chloe Fowler, 14, from Shiney Row, after she got into difficulty near a viaduct in Fatfield, Washington, on Tuesday afternoon.
Both girls were swept away, and their bodies were discovered later. Police said inquiries into the deaths are ongoing. Initially, onlookers believed the girls had jumped into the river for 'fun' and to 'keep cool', but police later established that Tonibeth had not jumped but entered the water to rescue her friend.
Superintendent Alan Veitch described the incident as an 'absolute tragedy' and extended sympathies to the families. He said: 'They are obviously completely distraught at what has happened and we're doing everything possible to support them.' About 100 emergency services staff and members of the public were involved in the six-hour search.
Chloe's family described her as 'beautiful, kind and caring'. A friend, Joss Both, said: 'She was absolutely lovely, always smiling and laughing.' Tonibeth's head teacher, John Hallworth, called her 'a quiet and caring young lady' with a promising future.
Tom Mullarkey from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents warned against the dangers of fast-flowing rivers, advising people to choose supervised or thoroughly checked swimming spots.
