A freak mudslide incident which killed much-loved County Durham schoolgirl Leah Harrison was a ‘terrible accident, with no blame apportioned’, an investigation has concluded.
Ten-year-old Leah lost her life during an instructor-led forest walk at Carlton Bank in May in a freak mudslide incident. Leah, a pupil at Mount Pleasant Primary School in Darlington, was visiting Carlton Adventure, which is an outdoor education centre run by Hartlepool Council, on a school trip when the tragedy occurred.
As previously reported, health and safety bosses, police and the council investigated the circumstances surrounding Leah’s death. Now the HSE has confirmed the investigation has concluded and “no further action” will be taken.
A HSE spokesperson said: “We have met the family of Leah Harrison to inform them that our investigation has concluded and we will take no further action. We carried out a thorough investigation and worked closely with North Yorkshire Police after the incident. Our thoughts remain with the family.”
In a new statement, Nick Blackburn, chief executive of the Lingfield Education Trust which runs Leah’s school, described the tragedy as “terrible accident with no blame apportioned”. He said no recommendations are required.
His full statement reads: “Further to the terrible tragedy in May, when Leah Harrison, a Year 6 pupil at Mount Pleasant Primary School, in Darlington, died due to a mudslide during a school trip at Carlton Adventure, in Carlton-in-Cleveland. I can confirm that we have now been informed by the Health and Safety Executive that the investigation into what happened has been concluded, with a finding that it was a terrible accident, with no blame apportioned, and no recommendations required.”
“As I’m sure everyone can understand, this has come as a huge relief to everyone concerned. Now that the investigation is over, I wish to repeat my condolences to Leah’s family and thank them for their support of the school community in the face of their grief.”
“I also wish to place on record my thanks to the staff of Mount Pleasant Primary for their courage and fortitude in the most challenging circumstances imaginable, especially headteacher, Jo Blackham, who tried so hard to save Leah.”
“It has been an extremely difficult time for the school community pupils, staff and parents and I am immensely proud of the way they have come together in support of each other. Leah and her family remain uppermost in our thoughts.”
Teesside Live reported on the tragedy at the time. Carlton-in-Cleveland residents told Teesside Live the incident happened in woods at the top of Raisdale Road, although this has not been confirmed by authorities.
Cleveland Mountain Rescue Team, police, ambulance and fire crews all attended and a cordon was put in place. Cleveland Mountain Rescue Team said they were called by the North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) to a report of a mudslide near to Carlton Bank. A very short time later they were also contacted by the Yorkshire Ambulance Service with a similar report.
Nineteen Cleveland MRT members were deployed, eventually rising to thirty at the scene during the course of the afternoon and working alongside emergency service colleagues including the North Yorkshire Police and North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, as well as the ambulance services.
At the time, Leah’s family paid tribute to the youngster, saying: “Leah Harrison, the happy, bubbly, go-lucky little girl. The beautiful smile, the giddy laugh, the silly jokes. You will never ever be forgotten baby girl. You will achieve your dream and become a player for the Lionesses. Spread those wings. May you rest in paradise.”
View news Source: https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/mudslide-killed-county-durham-schoolgirl-30534075
