A TEN-year-old girl died on a school trip after she was caught in a mudslide that swept her 20ft down a stream, an inquest has heard.
Leah Harrison, from Darlington, was on an instructor-led walk at an outdoor activity centre when she ended up submerged and suffocating in the mud.
PALeah Harrison, 10, died after getting caught in a mudslide[/caption]
The youngster was on a school trip in Carlton-in-Cleveland, North YorksNNP
Floral tributes left near the scene of the tragedyNNP
The Year 6 pupil was out with a group in rainy weather when the “tragic accident” happened at Carlton Bank on the edge of the North York Moors on May 22 last year.
Leah had been on a three-day residential trip with other children from Mount Pleasant Primary School at the Carlton Adventure centre, which is run by Hartlepool Borough Council.
Opening the inquest to jurors at Teesside Magistrates’ Court, assistant coroner Paul Appleton said Leah was crossing a stream when a mudslide collided with her, leaving her “submerged in thick mud” and initial attempts to release her from the mud were unsuccessful.
She was taken to James Cook University Hospital where she was confirmed to be deceased, Mr Appleton said.
He told jurors the inquest would examine the nature of the activity Leah was on, planning for the activity and the weather conditions on May 22.
The school’s headteacher, Joanne Blackham, told an inquest the mudslide “came out of nowhere” and “just took (Leah) away,” saying: “We didn’t hear it, we couldn’t see it.”
Ms Blackham said there had “not been so much as a broken toe” on previous, regular trips to the centre.
Joanne Blackham, head of Mount Pleasant Primary School, giving evidence at the inquestNNP
She said she had got to know Leah well on the first day of the trip and was “really impressed with her resilience and her character”.
Ms Blackham said: “She was absolutely loving the time at Carlton, she really pushed herself out of her comfort zone.”
She told the inquest she had no concerns about the weather that morning, saying: “It was just a rainy day.”
She added the path they were on was “one we used all the time” and there were no issues crossing the stream before.
Senior activities officer at the centre, Paul Godwin, described the weather on the day as “misty and drizzly” but said it did not cause him any concern “as countless groups have gone out to do that activity in similar conditions if not worse”.
Reading his statement at the inquest, Mr Godwin said: “I have seen these conditions countless times so it was of no real concern.
“It is my opinion on that particular day, on that particular activity, what happened to Leah could not be predicted and could not be avoided.
“There was no difference in conditions from identical times this activity has been carried out safely.”
The inquest heard there was a Met Office yellow weather warning in place that day, which Mr Godwin said meant “everything should be okay but obviously, a bit of caution, and keep away from low lying areas”.
He said there was “no prior indication any such risk (of mudslides) might ever arise in the area”.
The events unfolded on May 22 last yearNNP
The inquest heard Leah died from traumatic asphyxiation after coming to rest face-down in thick mud, which prevented her being able to breathe.
A statement from pathologist Dr Jennifer Bolton said Leah did not inhale any mud as the lower part of her face was covered by her waterproof coat, but that the coat also prevented her from breathing as it was pressed against her nose and mouth.
Leah’s mum, Michelle Harrison, said her daughter was “a kind, loving, caring, considerate girl” with “the most gorgeous, infectious smile” and a passion for football, whose dream was to one day play for England.
She added: “In the days leading up to the tragic accident on May 22, Leah had been poorly with tonsillitis.
“I was undecided as to whether I should let her go, with her being poorly, but she seemed to pick up by the afternoon.”
And by the time Michelle had dropped Leah off at school, she was “so excited”, according to the mum.
Her statement added: “I gave her the biggest kiss and cuddle and told her to have the best time. That was the last time I saw my daughter alive.”
The inquest continues.
Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
