Crime reporter(wp/es):
Pic:Rosie Mitchell 15
A teenage model has collapsed and died while rowing on the Thames.
Rosie Mitchell, 15, died after falling unconscious on the river with a Kingston rowing team.
Paramedics rushed to the scene in Kingston but she could not be revived and died in hospital later that day.
Her father Andrew Mitchell told the Standard that she died “doing what she loved with the friends she loved”.
He said: “We are devastated by the loss of our beautiful, smart and energetic daughter, who had so much potential. We would like to thank all those who tried so hard to save her and everyone around us for their incredible support.
“Along with her school (Grey Court School in Ham), we’re setting up ‘Rosie’s Fund’. The charity is yet to be decided as we don’t yet know the cause of her death, but will be confirmed in the next few weeks.”
He said the family believed Rosie died “instantly”, either from a heart attack or a brain haemorrhage.
He added that the response from her friends who have held a constant vigil at the club has been “unbelievable”.
Friends today paid tribute to the “wonderful girl” and “rising star” following the incident on Saturday morning.
In a statement, her model agency, The Hive Management, said: “Yesterday we received the heartbreaking news that our gorgeous rising star Rosie Mitchell passed away suddenly on Saturday.
“Rosie was only 15 years old and had the brightest future ahead of her. We would like everyone to join us in celebrating the short life of this beautiful young woman and our thoughts and prayers go out to Rosie’s family and friends.”
Rosie was spotted in the Bentall shopping centre in Kingston about a year ago by The Hive’s scout Giorgio Tsin, and recently had recently modelled for John Smedley’s Unisex collection.
Laura Murphy, director at the company, said she had a great future.
She said: “Rosie was one of our most promising new faces and had the brightest future ahead of her.
“The team at The Hive are devastated over her loss and we will all miss her enormously.”
Ms Murphy said the 5ft 6.5in model initially thought she was not tall enough for a career in the fashion industry.
“She initially thought she was too short to model, but her confidence grew and it was evident to us and her family how much she enjoyed it.
“She was lovely in every way. Happy, bright, and excited about the prospect of a career in fashion.
“The clients and photographers who worked with her all commented on how professional and beautiful she was.”
Bunches of flowers and candles have been placed outside Kingston Rowing Club and last night friends gathered to pay their respects.
The club said: “There was a tragic occurrence at Kingston Rowing Club on Saturday morning when Rosie Mitchell collapsed and lost consciousness while rowing. “Rosie was 15 years old. Our hearts go out to Rosie’s parents, Rachel and Andrew, family and friends.”
Her school, Grey Court School in Richmond, called the Year 11 student’s death “tragic”.
It said: “Rosie was a wonderful girl and a model student in every way. She will be sadly missed by everyone who knew and loved her. Our thoughts and wishes are with her family at this difficult time.”
One friend, Demi Leigh, wrote: “Sadly she died from a heart attack on the 17th of September. Gone but never forgotten.”
A police spokesman said: “We were called on Saturday, September 17 shortly before 9.10am to a teenager taken ill at Lower Ham Road.
“Officers attended along with the London Ambulance Service.
“A 15-year-old girl was found unresponsive at the location and taken to a west London hospital where she died a short time later.
“The incident is not being treated as suspicious.”
Pic:Rosie Mitchell 15
A teenage model has collapsed and died while rowing on the Thames.
Rosie Mitchell, 15, died after falling unconscious on the river with a Kingston rowing team.
Paramedics rushed to the scene in Kingston but she could not be revived and died in hospital later that day.
Her father Andrew Mitchell told the Standard that she died “doing what she loved with the friends she loved”.
He said: “We are devastated by the loss of our beautiful, smart and energetic daughter, who had so much potential. We would like to thank all those who tried so hard to save her and everyone around us for their incredible support.
“Along with her school (Grey Court School in Ham), we’re setting up ‘Rosie’s Fund’. The charity is yet to be decided as we don’t yet know the cause of her death, but will be confirmed in the next few weeks.”
He said the family believed Rosie died “instantly”, either from a heart attack or a brain haemorrhage.
He added that the response from her friends who have held a constant vigil at the club has been “unbelievable”.
Friends today paid tribute to the “wonderful girl” and “rising star” following the incident on Saturday morning.
In a statement, her model agency, The Hive Management, said: “Yesterday we received the heartbreaking news that our gorgeous rising star Rosie Mitchell passed away suddenly on Saturday.
“Rosie was only 15 years old and had the brightest future ahead of her. We would like everyone to join us in celebrating the short life of this beautiful young woman and our thoughts and prayers go out to Rosie’s family and friends.”
Rosie was spotted in the Bentall shopping centre in Kingston about a year ago by The Hive’s scout Giorgio Tsin, and recently had recently modelled for John Smedley’s Unisex collection.
Laura Murphy, director at the company, said she had a great future.
She said: “Rosie was one of our most promising new faces and had the brightest future ahead of her.
“The team at The Hive are devastated over her loss and we will all miss her enormously.”
Ms Murphy said the 5ft 6.5in model initially thought she was not tall enough for a career in the fashion industry.
“She initially thought she was too short to model, but her confidence grew and it was evident to us and her family how much she enjoyed it.
“She was lovely in every way. Happy, bright, and excited about the prospect of a career in fashion.
“The clients and photographers who worked with her all commented on how professional and beautiful she was.”
Bunches of flowers and candles have been placed outside Kingston Rowing Club and last night friends gathered to pay their respects.
The club said: “There was a tragic occurrence at Kingston Rowing Club on Saturday morning when Rosie Mitchell collapsed and lost consciousness while rowing. “Rosie was 15 years old. Our hearts go out to Rosie’s parents, Rachel and Andrew, family and friends.”
Her school, Grey Court School in Richmond, called the Year 11 student’s death “tragic”.
It said: “Rosie was a wonderful girl and a model student in every way. She will be sadly missed by everyone who knew and loved her. Our thoughts and wishes are with her family at this difficult time.”
One friend, Demi Leigh, wrote: “Sadly she died from a heart attack on the 17th of September. Gone but never forgotten.”
A police spokesman said: “We were called on Saturday, September 17 shortly before 9.10am to a teenager taken ill at Lower Ham Road.
“Officers attended along with the London Ambulance Service.
“A 15-year-old girl was found unresponsive at the location and taken to a west London hospital where she died a short time later.
“The incident is not being treated as suspicious.”
