
Teen girl, 13, dies after ‘getting into difficulty' in the sea near popular UK beach
Cops scrambled to the scene just before 5pm on July 24 after a report of concern for the welfare of a teenager in the water near Whitley Bay beach, North Tyneside.
Emergency services attended, and 13-year-old Edie Smart, from the Monkseaton area, was rescued from the water.
The schoolgirl was taken to hospital but despite the efforts of medical staff she tragically passed away today.
Edie's next of kin are currently being supported by specially trained officers, said cops.
Detective Chief Inspector, Emma Smith, of Northumbria Police, said: 'This is an extremely tragic incident, and our deepest condolences go to Edie's family and friends.
'Our specially trained officers will continue to provide them with the support they need at this time.
'We ask that their privacy be respected as they begin to come to terms with the loss of their loved one.'
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The Independent
23 minutes ago
- The Independent
2-year-old killed and 14 others hurt after car plows into Chicago sandwich shop during lunch
A 2-year-old boy was killed and 14 others were injured after a car plowed into an Illinois sandwich shop around lunchtime on Wednesday. Just before 2 p.m., a car crashed through the front of Portillo's restaurant in Oswego, a suburb about 48 miles west of Chicago, in what police say was a 'tragic accident.' 'We understand how difficult and emotional this incident is for everyone involved, to include the families impacted by this tragedy, as well as our community, our officers and the fire department personnel who responded,' Oswego Police Chief Jason Bastin said. Authorities confirmed that a 2-year-old boy who was inside the restaurant died as a result of the crash. His names has not yet been released by authorities. Bastin said of the 14 injured in the crash, eight, including the driver of the vehicle, were taken to nearby hospitals. Six other victims were treated at the scene and released. The driver was a 50-year-old woman and was the sole occupant of her vehicle, ABC 7 Chicago reported. Police said that while their investigation is in its early stages, 'preliminary information suggests this was a tragic accident.' Portillo's is a Chicago-area chain known for its Chicago-style hot dogs and Italian beef sandwiches. Witnesses who were near the fast-food chain at the time of the crash described a chaotic scene. "I saw a gentleman running with what appeared to be a smaller child, and I saw somebody collapse in between two cars, and the dad or whoever the man was with the person started performing CPR," said Damaris Abella, who was at the business next door. 'It's just sort of numbing,' John Buchanan, who lives by the restaurant, said. 'We're gonna go home and hold each other tight.' In a statement, Portillo's said: "We are deeply saddened by the tragic accident involving a car that struck our Oswego restaurant this afternoon, and our thoughts are with those affected by this incident. As we continue to assess this unfolding situation, our primary concern is the safety and well-being of our guests and team members.' 'We are grateful to the emergency responders who arrived quickly onsite, and we are working closely with local authorities to aid their investigation,' the restaurant added. Portillo's will remain closed Thursday, a spokesperson said.


BBC News
24 minutes ago
- BBC News
Aalia Mahomed's brother says Strand crash victim was 'amazing'
"My sister was amazing. Really smart, loving, funny - though I'd never say it to her."These are the words of Aalia Mahomed's brother, 18 March, Ms Mahomed, from Mitcham, south London, was struck by a van which drove through closed gates and hit the bench she was sitting on in a pedestrianised area outside King's College London (KCL) on The was pronounced dead at the scene of the collision on 18 March 2025, which left three others Metropolitan Police said a 26-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving, and he remains on Mahomed was in her second year studying for a BSc in physics and philosophy at Thursday, about 40 friends, family members and people from KCL gathered to pay tribute to the student, who was also honoured earlier in the day at a graduation ceremony at the Royal Festival Hall on London's South Bank. Mr Mahomed and his mother Samira Shafi collected her posthumously awarded degree."If I'm being honest, I wish I could say I was happy to be at the ceremony today but it was painful, she should have been up there getting her award. As much as it hurt, it was handled really well," he people there were dressed in green, her favourite colour, and stood with their eyes closed or heads were visibly emotional and hugged one another for support, and a minute's silence was Rev Dr Ellen Clark-King, dean of KCL, told those gathered: "We mourn today the potential of all that she would have become, her lost future, as well as the loss of all that she was."The family told BBC London they had launched a project, called Be More Aalia, to build a high school in Malawi, where they have roots. Joseph Knight, a close friend of Ms Mahomed, was sitting on a bench next to her when she was hit by the van. He was not injured and said that came down to a decision to sit to the left or right. He told BBC London: "It was an emotional day, bittersweet. It just makes me think what could have been, all of her dreams wasted. "It's been tough for everyone here, we're laden with grief."He added: "She lit up a room with her smile, her laugh. She looked for the light in everyone and is really missed."Bianca Godinho, also a good friend, said: "She was really funny, she was a light. The strength that her mum and brother have shown has been incredible."Another close friend, Iman Khan, told BBC London: "We shared so many memories together. She was so loyal, she was always there for me - the perfect friend." During the remembrance for Ms Mahomed, solicitor Trevor Sterling called for justice to be delivered to the said: "We need to make sure that we achieve justice without delay, and that the right level of justice is achieved, the right charges are brought, and only then will the family be able to move forward."He said there was frustration over the fact that no charges had been brought almost five months Sterling added: "The wheels of justice are slow, and inevitably there is frustration. The family and those affected have been patient."Ch Supt Thomas Naughton, from the Met Police, said: "Aalia's family continue to be supported by specialist officers, we regularly meet with them to discuss the progress of the investigation and to ensure they are receiving the support they need."Our investigation continues at pace and we are working closely with the Crown Prosecution Service." Additional reporting by PA Media


BBC News
24 minutes ago
- BBC News
Northamptonshire police officer messaged teen on social media
A police officer who asked to meet a vulnerable teenage girl after first contacting her on social media has been found to have committed gross Police said it would have dismissed Mitchell Shorley without notice if he had not already resigned two weeks before his hearing.A misconduct disciplinary hearing on Wednesday heard that Mr Shorley, who joined the force in March 2022, started messaging the 16-year-old via TikTok on 12 June Constable Ivan Balhatchet said he was "appalled" by the "abhorrent behaviour", adding: "This is a serious case of an officer using his position to attempt to exploit a vulnerable young woman." The girl, known as person A, regularly posted videos about mental health and welfare on her TikTok account. She was a "looked after child" in the care of the local authority, and her social media posts reflected her personal Shorley messaged her and introduced himself as a police officer and began a series of communications, the hearing was there was a break in contact, it was the police officer who started messaging again, often under the pretext of checking the teenager was was willing to communicate with Mr Shorely but later told police she felt he had groomed her. Inappropriate purpose On 6 July 2024, he suggested moving the conversation to the social media app Snapchat, which does not retain message history and allows users to share hearing was told there was no suggestion that any sexual images were sent, but that Mr Shorley sent photos of himself while on A reported feeling "spammed" by more frequent messages once they moved to Snapchat, saying the messages also became suggestive and 13 August Mr Shorley allegedly told the teenager, "You'd look good with a police officer boyfriend", and admitted to having a crush on suggested meeting in person, which made the teenager feel uncomfortable, at which she pointed she spoke to a member of staff at her home who reported the case to police. Mr Shorley did not attend the misconduct Constable Balhatchet added: "I believe that on the balance of probabilities, the evidence proves that the former officer's conduct was cynical, manipulative and that this was an abuse of his position for an inappropriate sexual purpose."The public need to know that there is no place in the police service for people that abuse their position for their own ends or exploit the vulnerable."My decision is therefore that the former officer would have been dismissed had he not resigned." Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.