The final, carefree moments of a 13-year-old girl on a school trip turned to tragedy when she collapsed in the water at a popular beauty spot, an inquest has heard.
Jessica Lawson was swimming with classmates from Wolfreton School in the lake at West Witton, near Leyburn in the Yorkshire Dales, when the horrifying incident unfolded. Despite the frantic efforts of teachers, pupils, and emergency services, Jessica could not be saved.
The hearing at North Yorkshire Coroner’s Court was told the group had travelled to the spot for an activity break in July 2015. What began as a joyful outing swiftly descended into nightmare.
A Day Out Turns to Disaster
Witnesses described Jessica entering the water with other children from a pontoon. Shortly after, the floating platform allegedly capsized. While others were quickly accounted for, Jessica was found unconscious beneath the surface.
Fellow pupil Hannah Wright, who was on the trip, gave a poignant testimony. "We were all having a good time until the pontoon flipped," she said. "The next thing I remember is seeing Jessica being pulled from the water. It was terrifying."
Teachers and an outdoor instructor fought to resuscitate Jessica at the scene before air ambulance crews arrived and flew her to Hull Royal Infirmary. She was pronounced dead later that day.
Frantic Efforts to Save a Young Life
The inquest detailed the swift response once it became clear Jessica was in peril. Her classmates, realising she was missing, raised the alarm immediately.
Paul Norton, a teacher who was on the trip, described the desperate search. "The children were shouting that someone was under the water," he stated. "We managed to get her out and began CPR straight away. We did everything we could."
The coroner is examining the precise circumstances that led to the collapse of the pontoon and the subsequent tragic outcome.
A Community Mourns
The death of Jessica Lawson sent shockwaves through the local community in Hull and the wider region. Tributes poured in for the teenager, described by her heartbroken family as a 'bright and bubbly' girl with a passion for sports.
Her tragic story highlights the profound risks that can accompany school excursions, even at seemingly safe and supervised locations. The inquest continues as the search for answers goes on.
