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Tragic Drowning: 11-Year-Old Francesca Dies on Holiday

1/27/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Francesca Blease, 11, from Crewe, Cheshire, died after accidentally drowning in a hotel pool on her first family holiday in Fuerteventura, Spain.
She could not swim and was terrified of water, and was found unresponsive after playing with other children for less than 10 minutes.
The coroner concluded the death was accidental, noting no foreseeable risk in the shallow pool and a lack of evidence about the drowning.

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Story summary

Francesca Blease, 11, from Crewe, Cheshire, died after accidentally drowning in a hotel pool on her first family holiday in Fuerteventura, Spain.
She could not swim and was terrified of water, and was found unresponsive after playing with other children for less than 10 minutes.
The coroner concluded the death was accidental, noting no foreseeable risk in the shallow pool and a lack of evidence about the drowning.