An inquest into the tragic death of a 13-year-old girl who drowned in a river during the May heatwave has been opened and adjourned. Palwasha Akbar tragically lost her life after encountering difficulties in the River Wharfe at Burnsall, North Yorkshire, on 31 May, as confirmed by a coroner on Thursday.
This heartbreaking incident occurred just one day before her 14th birthday. Her family had previously revealed that they had visited the popular riverside location to celebrate Palwasha's birthday with a family barbecue.
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."
Ms Norton disclosed that the provisional cause of Palwasha's death has been determined as drowning. The coroner noted that the teenager was born in Pakistan on June 1, 2012, and resided in Bradford, West Yorkshire. She adjourned the brief five-minute hearing until a date yet to be decided.
Palwasha was among at least 17 individuals who tragically died in open-water incidents during the hot weather at the end of May. Following her death, her family released a statement describing her as "a bright, kind, and caring young girl whose tragic passing has left her family, friends, and community heartbroken".
It read: "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."
