An 11-year-old girl who drowned during a birthday party at a waterpark was unlawfully killed, a coroner found today.
Kyra Hill, who her family lauded as a ‘source of illumination,’ encountered a challenging situation while in a specified swimming zone at Liquid Leisure close to Windsor, Berkshire, on August 6, 2022.
Senior coroner Heidi Connor concluded that Kyra had been unlawfully killed following gross health and safety breaches at the park.
The breaches relate to the depth and visibility of the water and the absence of an emergency plan and risk assessment, she found.
There were no signs warning of deep water despite it reaching 4.67 metres in parts of the designated swimming area, Ms Conner said.
‘In fact the only sign present warned of shallow water’, she added.
According to Ms. Connor, parents and guardians were not instructed to accompany children at a ratio of one to four, and small children were allowed to swim without floatation devices.
She further noted the absence of an emergency protocol or a risk evaluation that considered these elements, as well as the failure to implement control measures to address these evident hazards.
Kyra Hill drowned at Liquid Leisure water park in August. A coroner has found she was unlawfully killed
As many as 40 people, including members of the public, are believed to have dived into the water at Liquid Leisure, near Datchet, Berkshire, in a frantic rescue mission but she could not be saved. (File image of water park)
Her father, Leonard Hill, fought back tears as he read a pen portrait of his daughter to the inquest.
‘Kyra was a beautiful, beaming beacon of light in the lives of all who were fortunate enough to know her,’ he said.
‘With her naturally enchanting, bright and beautiful eyes – paired with the softest, sweetest and warmest smile – she captivated hearts effortlessly.
‘A spirited individual, Kyra was resolute in her beliefs. She would stand up for what was right without hesitation, always the first to challenge a bully or defend a friend.
‘Guided by an unwavering moral compass, she was a protector at heart, fiercely caring for her loved ones and always considering the feelings of others.’
His Manchester United-supporting daughter dreamed of becoming a professional footballer.
‘Had that dream not become her reality, she had her back-up plan to pursue law and become a lawyer and fight for the truth, stating that she would ‘never defend evil people in court’,’ he said.
At around 3.20pm on August 6 2022, a 17-year-old lifeguard spotted Kyra struggling and dived in after her before leaving the water to radio her colleagues.
A manager attended rapidly but 37 minutes passed before 999 was called, Mrs Connor previously told the hearing.
Around 13 minutes before emergency services were contacted, the park owner attempted to phone a divemaster and off-duty firefighter, the inquest had heard.
The diver, Chris Knight, missed several calls and CCTV showed him first entering the water with an oxygen tank at 4.33pm.
Liquid Leisure was closed after Kyra’s tragic death at a birthday party
Mr Knight previously told the inquest that he searched two parts of the lake before he was told that CCTV showed Kyra going under at another location.
He found Kyra near the third area at around 5.09pm.
He said that as far as he was aware no-one had looked at the CCTV by the time he arrived at the park.
Giving her conclusions, Mrs Connor said: ‘Members of the family, at no point have I forgotten that this was about your 11-year-old, Kyra, and I am so very sorry that you are here today.
‘It must have been incredibly difficult to sit in court and hear some of the evidence that we’ve heard. I offer all of you my heartfelt condolences.’
