A four-year-old girl has died after an incident at a swimming pool at Waterworld in Hanley, Staffordshire police have said.

The force was called to the water park in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent at about 4.20pm on Monday to reports of a girl in a critical condition.

She was treated at the scene and then taken to hospital for further treatment but she died there. Her next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specially trained officers, police said.

In a statement issued through Staffordshire police, a Waterworld spokesperson said: “It is with great sadness that we learned of this little girl’s passing this evening. All our thoughts are with her family and loved ones during these extremely difficult times.

“Waterworld is in shock and has decided to remain closed tomorrow out of respect for the family. Waterworld is working closely with the authorities at this sad time.”

DCI Lucy Maskew from Staffordshire police said: “Our thoughts are with the family at this terribly sad time. We are now making inquiries and looking to establish the circumstances of the incident.

“We would ask that members of the public avoid speculating in these early stages of the investigation and allow the family to grieve.”

More details soon …