Heroic teenager died after saving her friend from drowning

A 14-year-old girl was killed after she tried to rescue a friend who was drowning, sacrificing her own life in the process.

A heroic schoolgirl sacrificed her own life as she desperately tried to save a friend from drowning, an inquest in the UK has heard.

Teya Davies tried to pull her friend from a pond after she fell in while putting her shoes on.

But the 14-year-old tragically disappeared under the surface at the Clincton Woods nature reserve in Cheshire on August 4, last year, reports The Sun.

And although a third person pulled the friend to safety using a tree branch, the teenager could not be saved.

Her body was found in the 2.5-metre-deep murky stretch of water two hours later — despite the efforts of an off duty policeman who leapt in and spent 45 minutes in the water trying to locate her.

Teya Davies died after trying to help a friend who had fallen into a pond. Picture: Facebook

In a statement read to the inquest, the friend, who cannot be named, said: “Teya reached her hand out to pull me out but I accidentally dragged her in.

“One of the others came in to get us out, but she couldn’t so she then got out of the water and grabbed a stick to pull us out.

“She managed to pull me out of the water, but when I turned around I couldn’t see Teya.

“The last time I saw her she was in the water, so we called the police. I knew Teya for about four years and she was a year younger than me.”

Policeman Christopher Wall told the hearing: “I live close to the woods and I saw a female frantically screaming.

Teya Davies was just 14 when she died. Picture: Facebook

“I ran to the largest lake at the back and I saw two teenage girls sat by the side of the leg who were distressed and speaking to a police officer. I immediately dived into the water and I spent the best part of 45 minutes in there looking for her.

“After that time, I was pulled out by and, sadly, at this stage I realised it wasn’t a rescue attempt anymore but a recovery effort.”

In a statement, Davies’ father, Edward Davies told the inquest that his daughter could swim but didn’t enjoy it and wasn’t confident in the water.

Teya Davies ‘ father said his daughter was not a strong swimmer. Picture: Facebook

“There were no signs saying not to swim in the water directly around the pond, but there are signs warning you going into the nature reserve,” Paul Wright of Halton Borough Council said.

Recording a conclusion of accidental death, coroner Heath Westerman said: “She was a very brave girl who tried to save a friend and tragically died in doing so.

“The manner in which this tragedy unfolded could have led to the death of three young women. The selfless and brave actions of the girl who saved her friend should be commended and she should be put forward for an award.’’

Teya Davies has been haled as a hero after saving a friend who had fallen into a pond. Picture: Facebook

This story was originally published in The Sun and is reprinted with permission.