The family of a teenager who died following an incident in the River Severn in Welshpool have paid tribute to a “loving and caring” girl.
Holli Smallman died despite a multi-agency search at the River Severn in Welshpool, following reports of a missing person made at around 4.40pm on Friday.
Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed later that evening that a body was recovered at around 8pm, confirming on Monday that the person found was 15-year-old Holli.
In a statement issued today (Wednesday, August 14) her family said: “We wish to express how heart-broken we are by the tragic passing of our loving and caring girl Holli. The overwhelming grief and heartache devastates us all.
“Holli was a beloved sister, daughter, granddaughter and was so well loved by all of her family, extended family and friends.
READ MORE: Welshpool 'immensely saddened' by death of teenager Holli
“She was fun-loving and lived a life full of song and dancing, had an infectious joy for life and her positive and lovable cheeky nature made an impact on everyone she ever met.
“Holli was a popular pupil at Welshpool High School and especially enjoyed art and being creative. Holli formed a very strong bond with her group of friends and spent her time with them in or out of school. Holli had a talent, flair and passion for makeup and beauty and planned to train in that field after leaving school.
“She was also a popular member of the Welshpool Army Cadets, having joined last year with her friendship group and took to it well. Holli learned new life skills and she was maturing into a beautiful young and rounded person and was extremely supportive and caring to her siblings and family who meant the world to her.
“Holli has been taken from us at far too young an age. She had her whole life ahead of her and there will be a hole in our lives that will never heal, and we will never forget the amazing person that Holli was. She loved her family, and she loved her friends and showed that every day.
Flowers left in Holli's memory in Welshpool's Leighton Road. (Image: Josh Price)
“We are all so overwhelmed by the outpouring of support and kindness shown to us as a family and we thank you all for the messages and gestures made to us from everyone in the community. We have seen your messages which have meant so much to us.
“We also have in our hearts and minds the friends who were with Holli that tragic day. The support and compassion shown to us from the community, we extend to them in this unimaginable time, and they are all in our thoughts.
“We also want to express our heartfelt thank you to all of the emergency services and rescue teams who did all they could to help Holli on that evening and the NHS staff at Telford who have been so supportive.
“We are so heartbroken and would never want any other family to go through the pain that we are going through. The dangers of water have been brought home in a way that no one can imagine and we plead with children and parents to take the upmost care when near open water.
“We respectfully ask as a family for time and privacy as we come to deal with the loss of our dear and beautiful Holli.”
- A gofundme page to raise money for a day of remembrance for Holli has been launched. That can be found here.
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