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| Leah Harrison inquest told mudslide death was unavoidable | Leah Harrison inquest told mudslide death was unavoidable |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Leah Harrison's mum described her as a "happy go lucky person with a gorgeous, infectious smile". | Leah Harrison's mum described her as a "happy go lucky person with a gorgeous, infectious smile". |
| An activities co-ordinator has told an inquest into the death of a 10-year-old girl killed in a mudslide that the incident "could not have been predicted and could not have been avoided". | An activities co-ordinator has told an inquest into the death of a 10-year-old girl killed in a mudslide that the incident "could not have been predicted and could not have been avoided". |
| Leah Harrison, a Year 6 pupil at Mount Pleasant Primary School in Darlington, died in May last year during a residential trip to Carlton Adventure in Carlton-in-Cleveland, on the edge of the North York Moors National Park. | Leah Harrison, a Year 6 pupil at Mount Pleasant Primary School in Darlington, died in May last year during a residential trip to Carlton Adventure in Carlton-in-Cleveland, on the edge of the North York Moors National Park. |
| At the start of the inquest at Teesside Magistrates' Court, senior activities co-ordinator Paul Godwin said Leah was with a group of children taking part in a forest walk. | At the start of the inquest at Teesside Magistrates' Court, senior activities co-ordinator Paul Godwin said Leah was with a group of children taking part in a forest walk. |
| He said the weather "did not cause me any concern for Leah's group", although conditions were misty. | He said the weather "did not cause me any concern for Leah's group", although conditions were misty. |
| Mr Godwin said the risk of a mudslide was "totally unforeseen" and would not have been included in a risk assessment because there was "no prior indication" of such an event. | Mr Godwin said the risk of a mudslide was "totally unforeseen" and would not have been included in a risk assessment because there was "no prior indication" of such an event. |
| He said he was supervising another activity at the centre when he was informed of what had happened. | He said he was supervising another activity at the centre when he was informed of what had happened. |
| A yellow weather warning for heavy rain was in place for Carlton-in-Cleveland at the time of Leah's death | A yellow weather warning for heavy rain was in place for Carlton-in-Cleveland at the time of Leah's death |
| The inquest jury also heard a written statement from Leah's mother, Michelle Harrison. | The inquest jury also heard a written statement from Leah's mother, Michelle Harrison. |
| She said Leah was a "happy-go-lucky person with a gorgeous, infectious smile". | She said Leah was a "happy-go-lucky person with a gorgeous, infectious smile". |
| Ms Harrison said although Leah had recently been poorly with tonsillitis she was looking forward to the trip to the adventure centre. | Ms Harrison said although Leah had recently been poorly with tonsillitis she was looking forward to the trip to the adventure centre. |
| She said she was "proud as punch" to be on the trip. | She said she was "proud as punch" to be on the trip. |
| In a statement read to the inquest jury, Home Office pathologist Dr Jennifer Bolton said Leah died from "traumatic asphyxia", but had "no natural disease". | In a statement read to the inquest jury, Home Office pathologist Dr Jennifer Bolton said Leah died from "traumatic asphyxia", but had "no natural disease". |
| A two month investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) concluded last December that no one was at fault. | A two month investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) concluded last December that no one was at fault. |
| The mudslide, at the Hartlepool Borough Council-owned site, happened while a Met Office yellow weather warning for heavy rain was in place. | The mudslide, at the Hartlepool Borough Council-owned site, happened while a Met Office yellow weather warning for heavy rain was in place. |
| 'Lava flow' | 'Lava flow' |
| Headteacher Joanne Blackham, who was on the activity trip, said Leah had "really impressed her in the activities" and "pushed herself out of her comfort zone". | |
| When reading a statement she had previously made to the police, she became emotional as she described the mud slide being like a "lava flow". | When reading a statement she had previously made to the police, she became emotional as she described the mud slide being like a "lava flow". |
| With mud up to her chest, Ms Blackburn tried to pull Leah out by her legs but "there was no movement". | With mud up to her chest, Ms Blackburn tried to pull Leah out by her legs but "there was no movement". |
| She said she had had no concerns previously about the weather conditions, describing it as "just a rainy day". | She said she had had no concerns previously about the weather conditions, describing it as "just a rainy day". |
| "It literally just came out of nowhere, you could hear the roaring and rushing of water and muck. | "It literally just came out of nowhere, you could hear the roaring and rushing of water and muck. |
| "It just swept her away - it just took her." | "It just swept her away - it just took her." |
| The inquest, which is expected to last up to two days, continues. | The inquest, which is expected to last up to two days, continues. |
| Follow BBC Tees on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram. | Follow BBC Tees on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram. |