13-year-old girl drowns while trying to rescue her younger brother at a beach

Holly Nicholson died after getting into trouble in
rough water at Williamson's Beach, Australia
when she went to rescue her younger brother on
Thursday, February 11.
Nicholson's 11-year-old brother was swimming at
the beach in Dalyston just after 8:00 when he
got into trouble in rough water.
He was rescued from the water and taken to
hospital with minor injuries. But Holly found
herself in difficulties and later died despite
efforts by her family and emergency services to
save her.
Her death has devasted students and teachers at
her school. Wonthaggi Secondary College
principal Garry Dennis said the loss was very
distressing for the school community:
"Holly was such a gentle and caring
student, we're all feeling the loss today
and our thoughts are with her family," he
said.
"She endeared herself quietly to all those
around her, students and staff, the huge
impact she had in our school is being
reflected in response to the news that
we've had here today.
"The school will do all it can to support
family and friends."
Mr Dennis said he had spoken to Holly's closest
friends at the school, who said the 13-year-old
had been an amazing friend:
"She was always helping others, she was
kind and loving and she always found a
way to make everyone else feel good, She
would light up anyone's day with her
smile ... we will miss Holly."
An investigation will be launched into the
handling of the triple-0 call made when Holly
drowned. Police arrived at the scene before
paramedics, who were dispatched more than 20
minutes after the call was made.
The Minister, Ms Garrett said the investigation
would look into the way the call and dispatch of
emergency services occurred and not Ambulance
Victoria.
"My focus has been on what occurred at
the ESTA [Emergency Services
Telecommunications Australia] side of
things and I am very concerned there has
been some serious issues with that
process",
"There was a call made to ESTA, there
was a dispatch of Victoria Police and
then there was a dispatch of Ambulance
Victoria.
"I do not want to go any further into it
because it is the subject of the
investigation, but just to say we are very
concerned it took some 24, 25 minutes for
an ambulance to be dispatched onto the
scene of what was clearly a very
distressing incident in the water." She
said.
The Minister also said she owed it to the family
to explain how the sequence of events unfolded.
"I am very saddened, on behalf of the
Victorian Government and the Victorian
community, that the distress this family is
going through is being added to, But I
assure them and the broader community
this investigation will be rigorous, it will
be thorough. It will be done with great
respect to that family and all of the
findings will be implemented." Ms Garrett
said.