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18/06/2008
Girl Died From 'Misadventure', Inquest Hears
An inquest has returned a verdict of "misadventure" in relation to the death of a young girl who who fell out of a canoe.
Bille Clayton, 9, had been on holiday with her twin brother, Edward and her father Ian, who is an ITV Yorkshire presenter, on 12 April, 2006.
Their canoe overturned on the Wye and Glasbury, near Hay-on-Wye. Billie was airlifted to hospital but later died. Her brother and father suffered from hypothermia.
The Wales Canoeing Association said the tragedy was "extremely rare".
It is understood that the family members - who had been wearing life jackets - got into difficulty in the normally calm river which is believed to have been "swollen" by heavy rain.
The inquest heard that Billie's father and brother, along with emergency services, made several "frantic" attempts to save her.
Powys Councillor James Gibson Watt said at the time that he felt "extreme sadness" that what had "started out as a fun family day out ended in such a tragedy".
The inquest in Welshpool, Powys heard that Mr Clayton faced an "agonising" dilemma of which of his children to save first.
It is reported that Edward had told his father to save his sister first.
My Clayton told the inquest: "What twin do you go for? Even to this day I wonder if I made the right decision."
The inquest heard that crisis struck when he took a wrong turn in the river as they make their way downstream in Hay-on-Wye.
Wayne Sheppard, from Brecon, who set up the canoeing company which rented the boat to the family, said if he had of thought it was dangerous, he "would never" have let the family on the river.
Mr Sheppard told the inquest that he had "no idea" that the conditions were so bad.
It is believed that Mr Clayton who presents 'My Yorkshire' had not been canoeing before.
Mr Clayton has set up a fund for young musicians in memory of his daughter called 'Billie's Violin Fund'.
The inquest continues.
(DS)
Bille Clayton, 9, had been on holiday with her twin brother, Edward and her father Ian, who is an ITV Yorkshire presenter, on 12 April, 2006.
Their canoe overturned on the Wye and Glasbury, near Hay-on-Wye. Billie was airlifted to hospital but later died. Her brother and father suffered from hypothermia.
The Wales Canoeing Association said the tragedy was "extremely rare".
It is understood that the family members - who had been wearing life jackets - got into difficulty in the normally calm river which is believed to have been "swollen" by heavy rain.
The inquest heard that Billie's father and brother, along with emergency services, made several "frantic" attempts to save her.
Powys Councillor James Gibson Watt said at the time that he felt "extreme sadness" that what had "started out as a fun family day out ended in such a tragedy".
The inquest in Welshpool, Powys heard that Mr Clayton faced an "agonising" dilemma of which of his children to save first.
It is reported that Edward had told his father to save his sister first.
My Clayton told the inquest: "What twin do you go for? Even to this day I wonder if I made the right decision."
The inquest heard that crisis struck when he took a wrong turn in the river as they make their way downstream in Hay-on-Wye.
Wayne Sheppard, from Brecon, who set up the canoeing company which rented the boat to the family, said if he had of thought it was dangerous, he "would never" have let the family on the river.
Mr Sheppard told the inquest that he had "no idea" that the conditions were so bad.
It is believed that Mr Clayton who presents 'My Yorkshire' had not been canoeing before.
Mr Clayton has set up a fund for young musicians in memory of his daughter called 'Billie's Violin Fund'.
The inquest continues.
(DS)
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