See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred SourceBy GLEN KEOGH, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT and MARK BRANAGAN Published: 16:25 BST, 18 June 2026 | Updated: 16:25 BST, 18 June 2026
A 13-year-old girl drowned after getting into difficulty in a river during a day out to celebrate her birthday, an inquest has heard.‘Beautiful spirit’ Palwasha Akbar was playing in the River Wharfe at Burnsall, North Yorks, on the day before her 14th birthday during the heatwave last month.She had gone to the popular riverside beauty spot with her family for a barbeque.At the opening of an inquest into her death in Northallerton, North Yorks, on Thursday, Assistant North Yorkshire Coroner Alison Norton said the teenager, from Bradford, West Yorks, was visiting Burnsall on May 31 when she ‘got into some difficulty in the water.’‘She was retrieved from the water and taken to Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary, where she was later confirmed deceased,’ she added.Ms Norton said the provisional cause of Palwasha’s death has been established as drowning.The court heard Palwasha was born in Pakistan on June 1 2012, and lived in Bradford.Her father, Irshad Akbar, has said the family is ‘going through agony.’Describing his daughter as a ‘God-gifted child’, he added: ‘We went there to celebrate her birthday, and her birthday turned into a death day. It is really shocking.’ Palwasha Akbar, 13, died in the River Wharfe at Burnsall, North Yorks on May 31Mr Akbar previously said that at about 6.30pm, when the family were getting ready for the journey home, his two daughters and niece had decided to go for a walk.His wife had followed the three girls but lost sight of them in a crowd and, within ‘two to three minutes’, they had gone into an area of deeper water.‘They were not supposed to go to the water at this time, we know there is deep water,’ he said.Both Palwasha and her 11-year-old sister got into difficulty, but the younger girl was pulled to safety by a passer-by.Palwasha was one of at least 17 people who died in open-water incidents during the hot weather at the end of May.After her death, her family issued a statement which said she was ‘a bright, kind, and caring young girl whose tragic passing has left her family, friends, and community heartbroken.’They added: ‘Palwasha will be remembered for her kindness, her beautiful spirit, her devotion to her friends and family, and the happiness she brought to those around her.‘Her life was taken far too soon, but her memory will live on forever in the hearts of everyone who loved her.’Her family have now set up a fundraising appeal in her memory.They said Palwasha ‘loved reading, spending time with her friends, and bringing happiness to those around her. 'She was a hardworking student with a warm smile, a gentle nature, and a caring heart.’Bronte Girls' Secondary Academy, in Bradford, also shared tributes to her.Acting principal Lyndsay Hall said: ‘We are deeply saddened by the death of one of our much-loved students in a swimming accident. 'She was a valued and much-loved member of the school community.’A full inquest will take place at a later date.
