Seven-year-old girl dies in public swimming pool

Michelle Gellard, of east London, died on Saturday following an incident at Blackwater Leisure Centre in Maldon, Essex.

The girl was plucked from the water by staff and fellow swimmers after being spotted floating on the water by a member of the public.

Tragedy: Police have said they will be passing the investigation over to the environmental health section of Maldon District Council

Paramedics desperately tried to save her life as she was flown to hospital by air ambulance but she died around an hour later.

Police are now awaiting results from post mortem tests on Michelle, who was from the Isle of Dogs.

East of England Ambulance spokeswoman Joy Hale said: 'We were called at 2pm to a seven-year-old girl who was pulled from the water by members of the public and leisure centre staff.

'Several attempts were made to resuscitate her by members of the public and by two St John's Ambulance cadets,' she said.

Police arrived at the scene soon after the girl was found but have now decided against an investigation

'We were really grateful for their efforts. They did very well.

'The air ambulance arrived and got her on the helicopter really quickly where they carried on CPR.

Flowers left at the Blackwater Leisure Centre where Michelle died

'The efforts were continued at Colchester General Hospital but she sadly died.'

Essex Police initially launched a joint investigation with the Health and Safety Executive, but later decided a police inquiry was no longer necessary.

The inside of Blackwater Leisure Centre, Park Drive Maldon, Essex where Michelle died after being found unconscious in the swimming pool on Saturday

A spokeswoman said:  'Police investigating the unexplained death of a girl have determined a police investigation is no longer required and will be passing the investigation over to the environmental health section of Maldon District Council.'

Police closed off the centre at the weekend after seven-year-old Michelle Gellard died in the swimming pool

Graham Farrant, chief executive of Leisure Connection which runs the centre, said: 'All our thoughts and sympathies are with the family and we will do anything we can to help the police investigate this tragic incident.

'We're working closely with the police investigations and the local council. The centre will remain closed while this vital investigation takes place.'

Families enjoying the pool in Blackwater Leisure Centre, as shown on their website

A spokeswoman for the St John's Ambulance said a team of their members were covering a separate event at Blackwater Leisure Centre when they were called to help.

She said: 'One of our ambulances was covering another event at the leisure centre when we were called to the swimming pool by staff who asked us for help.

'We rushed to the scene and tried to help. The life guard had already started resuscitating the young girl. Our crews worked very hard but sadly the girl died.'

Floral tributes were left at the scene.