British girl, six, drowns in pool on holiday in Gran Canaria

A British child has drowned in a hotel swimming pool in Gran Canaria while on a family holiday.

Megan Thrower, six, from Kings Lynn, Norfolk, died after getting into difficulties at the four-star Gran Canaria Princess Hotel in the popular resort of Playa del Ingles.

The girl was two days into a week-long break with her parents Stephen and Debra and brother Bradley, 12.

A waiter pulled Megan from the water and tried to revive her yesterday afternoon after her parents spotted her at the bottom of the pool.

Emergency services were called and paramedics tried to resuscitate Megan, but she was pronounced dead at the scene.

Her parents and brother have been moved to another hotel nearby. Megan's grandfather, Arthur Thrower, said that the family was devastated.

He said: "My eldest son came over early yesterday and I knew something was wrong. It's such a shock. I spoke to Stephen on the phone and he didn't say much about what happened but said they would be coming back home on Tuesday.

"I haven't slept at all. Megan was a lovely little girl."

Her parents were due to attend a local Spanish court where an investigating judge has opened an inquiry into her death, which is not seen as suspicious.

Police will investigate whether a lifeguard was on duty at the time of the tragedy, as required under Spanish law.

A post-mortem examination was expected to take place today.

A British Embassy spokesman said that consular assistance was being given to the family.