Death of Erin Madden at Carr Mill Dam ruled as 'tragic accident'

An inquest at Bootle Coroner's Court heard how on June 1, 2023, emergency services were called at around 12.30pm to the St Helens beauty spot after reports a teenage girl had disappeared under the water.

A huge search operation including Merseyside Police, North West Ambulance Service and Merseyside Fire and Rescue was carried out to find Erin.

Tragically, more than 90 minutes later the body of the teenager - described as "a talented school pupil, amazing daughter and loyal friend "- was recovered.

The hearing was told that what had started out as a fun day swimming with friends turned rapidly into a "catastrophic emergency".

Coroner Julie Goulding held the inquest today, Tuesday, February 13, with Erin’s family present to hear testimony from the two people Erin was with that day.

Due to their ages, they can only be identified as ‘Friend One’ who is a boy and Friend Two’ who is a girl.

The hearing also involved representatives from Merseyside Police, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service, The Canal and Rivers Trust and an eyewitness.

A further two eyewitness accounts were read to the court.

Friend Two, a girl, described how she, Erin and Friend One - a boy - had got the bus to outside The Waterside pub and lowered themselves into the dam.

They then got out and all three jumped back in. After some time Friend Two left the water to go on her phone and Friend One and Erin remained in the dam. 

Friend One's testimony highlighted how both he and Erin "struggled" in the water and how he eventually swam to safety.

One witness, Ms Gupta, who had been walking her dog at the dam at the time of the accident recalled how she saw the trio of friends playing in the water, then later how "things changed".

She said: "I carried on walking through the wooded  area and I heard something change, I could just tell and I heard a female voice shouting 'get off'."

Ms Gupta confirmed it was the voice of Friend Two, who at the time had been out on the side of the dam on land using her mobile phone.

Friend Two told the hearing that she heard "splashing and noises" that made her concerned and look up to find her two friends "struggling".

Friend Two indicated that she had not shouted "get off" but instead shouted "get her", indicating to Friend One to try to save Erin.

Giving evidence, both friends agreed he tried to do this. 

Following the evidence and interviews, the coroner concluded that the cause of death was accidental.

Floral tributes left at Carr Mill Dam (Image: St Helens Star)

She said: “My conclusion is that of an accident which is of an unintended consequence of an intended action. Erin May Madden's medical cause of death is that of drowning.

“Erin May Madden tragically died on June 1, 2023, at Carr Mill Dam.

“Erin, who was not a good swimmer, was observed getting into difficulty in the deep water and emergency services were immediately called.

“Following an extensive 90-minute search for Erin including police ambulance and fire and rescue service all of whom entered the water immediately and were assisted by drones.

“Erin was found at the bottom of the deep dark reservoir about 3.5 hours after initially getting into difficulty and disappearing from sight beneath the deep dark waters.

“Erin had been having fun with her two friends, it was a hot day and all three of them decided to get into the water.

“This quickly changed and got down to depths of four metres and Erin subsequently found herself in dire trouble out of her depth and unable to swim round.

“The fun day out turned rapidly into a catastrophic emergency and her friends lost sight of Erin.

“Neither friend was able to help Erin from the danger she was in.

“One of the friends in the water at the time managed to get out and immediately call emergency services.

“Police officers who arrived within three minutes and straight away entered the water to try and rescue Erin but tragically they could not locate her.

“The ambulance and fire and rescue services arrived shortly later and searched for Erin who was completely submerged.

“There are signs warning of the dangers of swimming [at Carr Mill Dam] and independent witnesses report seeing three people enjoying themselves and one heard a voice calling for help.

“The same witness thought she had heard a voice shouting ‘get off’ but evidence which is accepted was that she was shouting ‘get her’.

“No other person or persons were present, and the death of Erin was a tragic accident when three friends decided together to enter the water at the time not appreciating the dangers of the water.

“Police concluded their investigations and are satisfied there is no third-party involvement in Erin’s death.

“In the evidence displayed Erin’s death was a tragic accident when three friends decided to go on a day out and entered the water not thinking of the inherent dangers of the deep cold waters and the day turned into a tragedy.

“That is my conclusion that the death be ruled as an accident.

“My deepest condolences to you all.”

Speaking during the hearing, Erin's mum Kirsty Madden old how her daughter grew up with her two little brothers and little sister.

She said: "It was just Erin and me until she was five and during this time we spent a lot of time together and were really close.

"I have fond memories with Erin making Peter Rabbit biscuits together which she still mentioned in later years.

"Erin went to Outwood Academy [in Haydock] and was a promising student and good role model to her peers.

"I was told by her head teacher on the day of her funeral that she passed her mocks with flying colours.

"At secondary school Erin began to sign and was bubbly and outgoing but liked staying at home with her family.

"Every weekend she’d join me and the kids at the park and had many friends at school.

"She had a dream of going to university and being a solicitor or mental health professional.

"She was an amazing listener and very protective and supportive of the people that she loved.

"Erin loved doing TikToks with her siblings and learned all the dances and got me to do them as well which she found hilarious.

"She also did boxing at JCs which she really enjoyed.

"Erin was an angel before she even got to heaven and beautiful inside and out.

"Erin was an amazing daughter, a loving sister and a loyal friend and would do anything for a family or friend or anyone in need.

"I’d trade places with my daughter in a heartbeat.

"She should still be here and living her life and accomplishing her dreams.

"We love and miss her dearly and she meant the world to me.

"My life will never be the same without her and I miss her beautiful smile that could light up a dark room.

"Her loud laugh and how her makeup and hair were always done to perfection even when she wasn’t leaving the house.

"I miss all the little and big things about her and there is so much about my daughter that I cannot put into words.

"The impact this has had on us all since she’s been gone has been horrendous."