Inquiry after two die in swimming pool tragedy

An inquiry has been launched into the tragic death of two girls who drowned in a swimming pool at a holiday village in St Ann's Chapel.

The two girls, one aged 19 the other just seven, were in a family party enjoying a holiday at Honicombe Manor.

On Thursday afternoon staff were alerted by people in the pool area and rushed to the scene.

Manageress Caroline Rowe jumped into the indoor heated pool and pulled the girls to the surface and out of the water.

She then began frantic efforts to revive them before emergency servi ces arrived to take them to hospital.

19-year-old Vanessa Gregson from Toxteth in Liverpool was pronounced dead on arrival at Derriford Hospital in Plymouth.

Seven-year-old Tshan Kamara showed signs of life and was rushed to intensive care. Sadly she too died on Saturday. It is understood that her father was at her bedside when she died. He was contacted after the accident by Merseyside Police and travelled to Cornwall at once.

The pool, which is used by visitors to the holiday village and by local people who are members, was immediately closed until Caradon engineers inspected it.

Initial reports that the girls' hair had become trapped in the filtration unit were dismissed by a joint statement from Caradon and the police earlier this week.

It said preliminary inquiries with witnesses at the scene and initial investigations indicated that the accident wasn't attributable to the filtration system but more checks would be done. Police were carrying out forensic tests.

On Friday an improvement notice was served on Honicombe owner Mike Vernon requiring him to carrying out improvements to the pool. These involve safety floats, pool depth markings and an emergency alarm system. He was given 21 days to comply.

The pool will remain closed until the safety measures are in place.

It is believed that the tragic drowning happened after Tshan got into difficulties and Vanessa dived in to go to her rescue.

Vanessa was staying with the girl's family and helping to look after five children in the holiday party. She knew the Kamara family well.

She worked as a nursery attendant for a local school in Liverpool and loved children.

Her mother Cheryl said this week that she was proud of her daughter. 'She was my angel. She loved children and she just lived for kids. She died a hero.'

And inquest has been opened and adjourned.