Milton Keynes Police are appealing to the public for information following a serious incident involving a young girl drowning at Willen Lake, Milton Keynes.
Yesterday, around 4pm, Cherry Stone drowned at Willen Lake, reportedly after sliding down the uneven banks. Family and friends were left devastated after this terrifying event, which has caused major concerns regarding safety in the surrounding areas.
Cherry - aged 10 - had been playing with her brother as they enjoyed a family walk around the popular lake. On several occasions, the pair had been warned by their parents regarding their safety while they chased each other along the uneven edges. Police officers and detectives have looked into the disaster and believe it was a freak accident.
Willen Lake, which is located in the heart of Milton Keynes, is a usual happy day out for the Stone family. The parents, Ed and Nicola, are distraught.
The scene of the tragic accident
(Willen Lake, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire)
Mr and Mrs Stone have started a campaign to improve the safety around the banks of the lake. Mrs Stone told Brooklands News that the family spent many joyful Sundays walking around the lake and never imagined such a tragedy could occur.
“We were laughing loudly as we chased each other in and out of the trees, along the edge of the lake. We never thought it may be dangerous. I mean, you don’t expect it to happen to you, do you? It hasn’t yet sunk in, she is now dead!” her brother, James explained. An on-looker recalled that the family looked idyllic as they blissfully smiled together as they moved along the banks. Tragically the carelessness cost Cherry her life!
Willen’s employee’s responded quickly, jumping into the lake. Her frail body was pulled from the murky waters, a few feet from where she slipped; it was too late. Once she had been pulled under by the current, she had been dragged away from safety.
There will be a funeral for Cherry Stone at St George’s Church in Milton Keynes at 3:45pm on Saturday 5th November.