Home / Disasters and Accidents / Teen Star Pupil Drowns on Birthday; Safety Campaign Launched
Teen Star Pupil Drowns on Birthday; Safety Campaign Launched
15 Jun
Summary
- Teenager drowned in River Wharfe on her birthday celebration.
- Her death occurred during a week of catastrophic heatwave drownings.
- Calls for enhanced safety measures in national parks are growing.
A birthday celebration on the River Wharfe in North Yorkshire tragically turned to tragedy when 13-year-old Palwasha Akbar drowned. The incident occurred on May 31st, during a period that saw 19 water-related fatalities amid a severe heatwave. Palwasha's father recounted the devastating event, noting her birthday plans shifted to a 'death day' due to the 'terrible accident'.
The star pupil had gone to the river with her family for a barbecue and to cool off in shallow water. However, after a brief moment, she and her younger sister entered deeper water and got into difficulty. While her sister was rescued by a bystander, Palwasha was pulled from the river and later pronounced dead at the hospital.
Her father, Irshad Akbar, expressed his profound grief, describing the loss as 'agony' and emphasizing Palwasha's kind and caring nature. He is now advocating for safety improvements, such as life jackets and fencing around dangerous water areas, to prevent similar tragedies.
Julian Smith MP highlighted the incident during a water safety debate, noting Palwasha's death occurred near the same spot as another fatality in August 2024. He stressed the duty of national parks to prioritize safety alongside promoting their areas, calling for greater responsibility from park authorities.
