A 13-year-old girl tragically drowned in a river during the May heatwave, just one day before her 14th birthday. An inquest has opened and adjourned into the death of Palwasha Akbar, who got into difficulties in the River Wharfe at Burnsall, North Yorkshire, on May 31, 2026.
Inquest Details
Assistant North Yorkshire coroner Alison Norton stated: "Palwasha Akbar was at Bolton Abbey – more specifically Burnsall – on May 31, 2026, when she got into some difficulty in the water. She was retrieved from the water and taken to Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary, where she was later confirmed deceased." The provisional cause of death has been established as drowning.
Family Statement
Palwasha was described by her family as "a bright, kind, and caring young girl whose tragic passing has left her family, friends, and community heartbroken." They added: "Palwasha will be remembered for her kindness, her beautiful spirit, her devotion to her friends and family, and the happiness she brought to those around her. Her life was taken far too soon, but her memory will live on forever in the hearts of everyone who loved her."
Background
Born in Pakistan on June 1, 2012, Palwasha lived in Bradford, West Yorkshire. She was one of at least 17 people who died in open-water incidents during the hot weather at the end of May. The family had visited the popular riverside spot to celebrate her birthday with a barbecue.
The coroner adjourned the five-minute-long hearing to a date to be fixed.
