Teenage girls walked out of care home and leapt to their deaths

Two teenage girls who are believed to have killed themselves by leaping more than 50 metres from a bridge together had gone missing from a residential care home, it emerged today.

The bodies of Georgia Rowe, 14, and Niamh Lafferty, 15, were pulled from the river Clyde near Glasgow after witnesses reported seeing them grasp each other’s hands as they jumped from the Erskine bridge, which crosses the river only a few miles from their care home in Bishopton, Renfrewshire.

Niamh, known as Neve, was from nearby Helensburgh, and Georgia was from Hull. The girls entered the Good Shepherd residential home between seven and eight weeks ago. They were last seen by staff at the home in their pyjamas on Sunday evening, as they went back to their rooms to watch television.

A spokesman for the Good Shepherd, a non-denominational Christian care centre which runs residential units and a day school for girls aged 12 to 17, said the seven girls who lived alongside the victims, and the staff, were stunned by the incident.

Both girls lived in a small open unit, and there had been no suggestion that they were at risk of suicide, the spokesman said.

Staff realised the girls had left the home without authorisation during a routine check, and began searching the campus and the surrounding area. Soon afterwards, Strathclyde police alerted the centre to the incident at the bridge.

A spokesman said that tye staff were “totally traumatised. It’s the worst thing that could happen in an institution like that. It’s a caring institution, it’s all about the staff getting close to the kids and knowing them well.” Other girls at the centre could today be seen comforting each other in its grounds.

The Good Shepherd offers residential and day care services for local councils, social services departments and children’s courts across the UK. As well as the open unit, it runs a secure centre with 18 beds and six “close support” unit beds for girls with serious criminal convictions or psychological problems.

Its St Francis day unit has 21 girls from nearby foster and care homes. Many of the children are from abusive or violent homes, have addiction or psychological problems, or are disruptive at school.

The girls’ deaths are being investigated by police as a suspected double suicide. The Strathclyde force confirmed that there were no suspicious circumstances. The Care Commission, the official agency which polices educational establishments, is expected to make an investigation after police finish their inquiries.

The Good Shepherd is funded by the Cora Foundation, a Roman Catholic charity. The units are only a few miles from the Erskine bridge. Opened in 1971, the bridge is one of Scotland’s notorious suicide spots: estimates suggest more than 15 people kill themselves there each year. Fences along the sections over nearby homes have been enlarged, with Samaritans signs and CCTV cameras fitted.

The girls were reportedly seen jumping into the river on Sunday evening, leading to a major rescue operation involving a coastguard search and rescue helicopter. Fire engines from four stations and two fire service rescue boats were sent to search the river and shoreline with a police boat.

Their bodies were recovered between 8.50pm and 10.30pm, the first by the coastguard helicopter and the second by the fire brigade boat. They were airlifted to the Southern General hospital in Glasgow by a Royal Navy Sea King helicopter, where they were pronounced dead.

Jim Sheridan, the local Labour MP, said: “The Good Shepherd is a fine organisation, but we need to see an internal inquiry to find out why these two girls were out unsupervised at that time. We will also need to see a police inquiry to ensure there was nothing untoward at play.”

A spokeswoman for Argyll and Bute council confirmed that one of the girls “was known to” social work services.

“We will be holding our own investigation into the circumstances surrounding this distressing case, and will of course assist other agencies in any way we can,” the spokeswoman added.

The Good Shepherd was investigated by both police and the Care Commission last year after girls there alleged they were abused and beaten in a “punishment room”. The allegations were rejected and no further action was taken.

“The thoughts and prayers of all at the Good Shepherd centre are with the families and friends of the girls who have died,” the spokesman at the centre said.

Friends of Niamh Lafferty last night expressed their grief by posting messages on the internet. As details of her death emerged, along with that of her friend, Georgia, there were postings at GoneTooSoon, a memorial site.

“R.I.P hun, I used to live in the Good Shepherd and I tried to commit suicide also while I stayed there and I can sort of know how you and your friend felt.

“My heart goes out to your family,” one comment read.

Many turned to Lafferty’s page on Bebo, the social networking site. One friend, Izzie, reminisced about happy times. “I’ll always remember when we were little and our camping trips together, or when we used to spend our days sliding down the rocks in the river or when we first met and we were sharing our 5th birthday party. They were good times, darlin’.”

Tributes were also left on Georgia’s Bebo page. David Rowe wrote: “georgia a know we havent spoke in a very long time but u’ll always be ma wee cousin an a love u hope ur in a better place now “R.I.P”

Dawn McMahon Blackhurst wrote: “Aw wee pal. Im so sorry it came to this. youll be very muched missed. I cany believe am actually having to write this. ill never forget your wee cheeky smile n such a beautiful wee face. Im sorry pal. Ill think of you always. Lots of love Dawn (and a big kiss fi wee Jai).”

SM wrote: “aww you’ll be missed georgia rowee, still cant believe it, i’ll never forget you georgiaa, youu were one of my first best friends, thoses days at primary. man they make me smile , they can never take away those memories, lovee youuuu geoo, i’ll never forget you.”