Inquest for girl, 4, found submerged at water park

Four-year-old Vethavalli Vasu-Dharma died in hospital after an incident at Waterworld in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent

An inquest has opened into the death of a four-year-old girl found “unresponsive and submerged in water” by a member of the public at a water park.

Vethavalli Vasu-Dharma, from Bradford in West Yorkshire died in hospital following an incident at Waterworld in Festival Park, Stoke-on-Trent on 4 August, coroner Daniel Howe said.

Her place of death was listed as Royal Stoke University Hospital and the time of death was listed as 17:33 BST.

The inquest was opened at Stoke Town Hall and adjourned to allow for more information to be gathered.

In a statement released on its Facebook page last week, bosses at Waterworld said their thoughts were with the girl's family and loved ones.

"We remain committed to supporting the community and would like to thank you all for your support," they said.

They said lifeguard and management teams performed CPR on the girl before emergency services arrived.

All visitors were asked to leave the pool during the rescue operation, a company spokesperson added.

The water park has since reopened.

Tributes to the four-year-old have been left at the venue

Stoke-on-Trent City Council said its environmental health team was working with the police and venue to "undertake a full health and safety investigation".

Lord Mayor of Stoke-on-Trent Steve Watkins said: "We were all devastated to hear of the death of a four-year-old girl at Waterworld.

"This is a terrible tragedy and our thoughts are with her family and loved ones."