Pool tragedy adds to Cornwall's death toll

POLICE have launched an investigation after two girls died in a swimming pool at a Cornish holiday centre.

Vanessa Jane Grigson, aged 19, from Liverpool, was in charge of a group of youngsters at the indoor pool at Honicombe Manor Holiday Village near Callington, when seven-year-old Tshan Kamara, also of Liverpool, apparently fell in at the deep end and got into difficulties.

Grigson jumped in to rescue her but both stayed under water for about 10 minutes before being pulled out by staff, who gave mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.

Both were airlifted to Derriford Hospital in Plymouth, but Grigson was dead on arrival. Kamara died in intensive care on Saturday night.

The pool was immediately shut while forensic experts and health and safety officials from Caradon District Council carried out investigations.

Early indications that the victims were trapped by their hair in a filtration grille have been ruled out.

The council served an improvement notice on centre owner Mike Vernon the day after the incident, regarding safety floats, depth markings and emergency alarm systems.

In a statement, the police and council said: "Investigations are continuing. Prosecution cannot be ruled out at this stage."

The deaths bring to four the number of pool-related fatalities in Cornwall in less than two years. In August 1997 a six-year-old boy drowned in a pool at the Pentire hotel, Newquay, and a five-year-old boy died in a pool at the Castaways Beach hotel, also in Newquay. by Kevin Lee