Death of "a happy girl" (From Barry And District News)

Death of "a happy girl"

THE mother of a 13-year-old girl, who died after being pulled unconscious from a pool at her Vale school, has paid tribute to the staff and pupils there.

Hayley Williams, aged 13, who attended Ashgrove Special School for autistic children, on Sully Road, Penarth, died on Monday.

Her mother Gaynor, who lives in Newport, thanked the carers and school staff who fought in vain to save her.

She said: "I know they are all devastated, and I would like to thank them for everything they did to try and save her. My heart goes out to the other children who were in the pool at the time."

It is believed Hayley suffered an epileptic seizure during a one-to-one session in the hydrotherapy pool.

She was taken to the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, where she later died.

Mrs Williams said the whole family - including Hayley's father Alan and 14-year-old sister Rachel - are devastated by the death of Hay-ley, whom she called "a happy girl".