Girl, 12, airlifted to hospital after swimming in river at Witney

A 12-year-old girl was airlifted to hospital yesterday in a life-threatening condition after getting into trouble swimming in a river near Witney.

The girl was rescued from the River Windrush by a passing member of the public before emergency services arrived at the scene at lunchtime.

Firecrews and paramedics then provided life-saving first aid until the arrival of the air ambulance.

It is understood the girl had been swimming with friends when she got into trouble.

Thames Valley Police said it was called to the scene off New Mill Lane just north of Witney at 12.30pm on Sunday.

A reported seven police cars, two fire engines, an ambulance and the air ambulance helicopter all attended the scene.

A South Central Ambulance Service spokeswoman said the girl had been assessed by its crews before being airlifted to hospital and was in a 'life-threatening condition'. 

Thames Valley Police spokesman Kieren Bushnell said: "Thames Valley Police, working with partners from the fire service and South Central Ambulance Service were called to reports that a 12-year-old girl had got into difficulties in the river Windrush at around 12.35pm.

"The girl has been air-lifted to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford, and is in a critical condition."

Station Manager Tom Brandon, of Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue who attended the incident, added: “Wild swimming can be very tempting, particularly when the weather is as hot as it has been in recent weeks, but this incident just goes to show that rivers can be extremely hazardous places.

"Figures from the National Water Safety Forum show there were 255 accidental drownings in the UK last year, so I would strongly advise members of the public to enjoy the water under the watchful eye of a trained lifeguard at a public swimming pool.”

"The girls' next of kin have been informed."

It is understood her family are with her now at the hospital.

One farmer in the area said had heard the sirens as police and paramedics raced down the lane to the scene.

She added: "I didn't know people still went swimming there - it's very, very deep.

"I hope she is ok."

The River Windrush at Crawley Bridge, just a few hundred metres upstream from where the girl is thought to have been swimming.

Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service and the Environment Agency both made appeals last month for people not to swim at unsupervised sites and to take extra precautions whenever swimming in open water.

Among the EA's advice was:

 • Don't jump or dive in as the depth may vary and there can be unseen hazards.

 • Don't go in near weirs, locks, pipes and sluices. These and some other water features are often linked with strong currents.

 • Rivers can be very cold no matter how warm the weather.

 • Those going into cold water can get cramp and experience breathing difficulties very quickly