Boy, 10, drowns in pond after 'jumping in to save struggling girl'

The youngster was playing at a beauty spot in Wigan when he got into difficulties in the water.

He was airlifted to Royal Preston Hospital and was later transferred to Pendlebury Children's Hospital, where he died today.

Police were called to John Pit Pond at Standish Lower Ground just before 3.50pm following reports that a boy had been seen in the pond.

It is thought the boy, who has not been named, may have gone into the water to help a girl who was in difficulty from swimming in the hot weather.

A Greater Manchester Police spokeswoman said: "Officers arrived at the scene to find members of the public were in the process of rescuing the boy.

"He was not conscious or breathing, so police officers performed CPR on him.

"The North West Air ambulance was called and arrived at the scene just before 4.05pm.

"The 10-year-old was taken to Preston Royal Infirmary by the air ambulance.