A 13-year-old girl reported missing from the River Wharfe near Burnsall was rescued and flown to hospital but later died, North Yorkshire Police said. The force and local MP Julian Smith asked for privacy for the family and thanked those who helped at the scene. The death is one of at least 15 recent water-related fatalities during a UK heatwave, prompting renewed warnings about cold water shock and risks of outdoor swimming. Searches also continue for a missing 11-year-old in South Yorkshire.
13-Year-Old Girl Dies After Rescue From River Wharfe Near Burnsall
Girl, 13, dies after being rescued from River Wharfe in Yorkshire
A 13-year-old girl has died in hospital after being reported missing in the River Wharfe near Burnsall in the Yorkshire Dales.
The disappearance was reported at about 6:30pm on Sunday. She was rescued from the water a short time later and flown to hospital by air ambulance, but despite the efforts of emergency crews and members of the public at the scene, she later died, North Yorkshire Police confirmed.
The River Wharfe, Burnsall, North Yorkshire, in 2022 (Getty)
In a statement the force asked for privacy for the bereaved family and thanked those who assisted:
“Our thoughts remain with her family at this very distressing time and we ask members of the public and the media to respect the family’s privacy and allow them to grieve in peace. Our thanks go to the members of the public who helped at the scene.”
Julian Smith, MP for Skipton and Ripon, also expressed his condolences and thanked emergency services and local residents who helped:
People swim in the River Trent and River Sow in Stafford, August 2025 (Getty)
“This morning all my thoughts, prayers and wishes are with the family of the young girl who died in Burnsall yesterday. I was so sorry and sad to hear this horrific and devastating news.”
The incident comes amid a heatwave that has been linked to at least 15 water-related deaths across the UK in recent days. Other recent tragedies include the deaths of a 15-year-old girl after swimming at a Merseyside beach, a woman in her 60s who died after attempting to rescue a dog in Lancashire, and a 19-year-old man rescued from a lake in Nottinghamshire who later died.
Searches are continuing elsewhere too: emergency services, an underwater search team and mountain rescue teams have been involved in an extensive search for a missing 11-year-old boy in South Yorkshire, focusing on the River Don.
Safety Warnings
Water safety experts have warned that warm air temperatures do not mean water is safe. Dr Heather Massey, an associate professor in extreme environments and physiology at the University of Portsmouth, highlighted the risk of cold water shock:
“It’s a known problem when the air temperature increases rapidly but the water is still very cold. If you’ve been in the sun and your skin is hot, entering cold water can trigger involuntary gasps, rapid breathing and a big increase in heart rate.”
Officials and safety experts urge people to supervise children closely, avoid entering unfamiliar open water, and take caution when cooling off in rivers, lakes and reservoirs.
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