The family of a 15-year-old girl who died after being pulled from a river in Tameside have described her as 'truly beautiful inside and out'.
Abbie Walton died after being pulled from the River Etherow near Hodge Lane, in Broadbottom on Wednesday, June 14. Emergency services descended on the scene following reports of a person in difficulty in the water.
The tragic Copley Academy student was 'looking forward to her prom more than anything', her family said, and was described as a 'lively, bubbly and polite girl'. Her sisters and brother paid heartfelt tributes to her in statements issued through Greater Manchester Police.
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Abbie’s eldest sister Kylie said: "Abbie was always smiling and rarely upset. She’d get so excited to see us and come bouncing through the door to give me and my sons a massive cuddle.
"She was very close with our family, especially our mum. Abbie was such a bubbly and polite girl.
"Truly beautiful inside and out. She was always dancing and making videos for TikTok."
Abbie’s older sisters Claire and Nicola jointly recalled: "Abbie would race around in flip flops to see us and say ‘hay girl’ that was her favourite catchphrase. She lit up the room when she walked in and whenever a room went quiet, she would let out a random noise and make everyone laugh.
"Abbie was loud, sassy, and always dancing. She loved TikTok and to look her best with fake tan and butterfly lashes."
Abbie’s older brother Daniel said: "Abbie was so lively; she was definitely the ‘personality’ in the family. We used to wind each other up all the time. She was a funny person and didn’t care what anyone thought about her.
"She was close with our family and popular in school. Abbie was looking forward to prom more than anything. That’s all she would talk about."
Abbie's friends left flowers and balloons for her at the scene after news of her death. A GoFundMe page has also been set up by her family to help cover the cost of her funeral.
