A YOUNG lifeguard who tried in vain to save the life of a 15-year-old girl at Cotswold Water Park and Beach is receiving counselling.

The 17-year-old girl, who worked tirelessly to resuscitate the teenager after she was pulled from the lake, is said to be devastated after learning the young girl later died.

The bather, believed to be from Feltham in Middlesex, was playing near the beach on Sunday when her parents lost sight of her.

Her unconscious body was pulled from the water by a group of boys at around 4.20pm.

Despite the teenage lifeguard successfully resuscitating her, the girl did not regain consciousness and lost her fight for life at Great Western Hospital in Swindon on Monday afternoon.

The lifeguard, who wishes to remain anonymous, has been praised by doctors at the scene for her valiant efforts to resuscitate the stricken teen.

Dr Bogdan Nuta, a consultant cardiologist at Gloucester Royal Hospital, was cycling at the park and had stopped for a break when the tragedy unfolded.

He said: “The lifeguard deserves a lot of praise for her calm and collected approach, and for her knowledge and application of resuscitation procedures.”

The lifeguard – who was one of four monitoring the 100 metre stretch of beach on Sunday – is now being cared for by family and receiving counselling.

All other staff involved have also been offered counselling.

Peter Davison, a spokesman for Cotswold Water Park and Beach, said: “The lifeguard in question was devastated to learn that the young girl did not pull through.

“She was able to successfully resuscitate her at the scene and of course, it was everyone’s hope she would be all right.

“We are deeply saddened to learn she later died.”

The popular park, near Ashton Keynes, was at half its capacity at the time of the incident and although not legally obliged, the park decided to allocate four lifeguards – all of whom were trained to the Institute of Qualified Lifeguard standard and have formal resuscitation training – as an additional safety measure.

Adrian Davey, operations director for the park, said: “We have lifeguards at the park as a precautionary measure.

“However we are careful to point out to visitors that our lifeguards are not a replacement for adult supervision.

“Our rules, which are on signs around the park, clearly state that children and inexperienced swimmers must be supervised at all times.

“I am very proud of all my members of staff, who acted calmly and with complete professionalism.”

Cotswold Country Park and Beach reported the incident to the Health and Safety Executive on Monday. All staff members involved in the incident have been interviewed as part of an internal investigation.