A teenage girl who had been playing with friends was found dead in a river by fire officers hours after entering the water, an inquest opening has heard. Holli Smallman, 15, been having fun with friends near the Leighton Arches camping and caravan site on the afternoon of Friday, August 9, when the incident occurred. The Welshpool schoolgirl entered the River Severn at 4.
40pm and the alarm was raised. A multi-agency search began immediately but ended in tragedy hours later when Holli was discovered downstream by specially-trained fire officers. During Tuesday's inquest opening in Pontypridd it was heard that Holli was identified by her family on Saturday, August 10.
Dr Barlow at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital noted that the medical cause of death required further exploration, leading to area coroner for south Wales central, Patricia Morgan, adjourning the inquest until a full investigation can be completed. She stated: "I would like to express my condolences to the family of Holli Smallman during this tragic time." READ MORE: Bodies of two porpoises found next to net on North Wales beach READ MORE: Sports and cocktail bar plan for former city centre retail unit in North Wales Following Holli's death her family paid tribute to her as a "loving and caring" girl and expressed their solidarity with her friends who were present on "that tragic day".
In a heartfelt statement released through Dyfed-Powys Police they said: "Holli has been taken from us at far too young an age. She had.