Woman found tragically dead in pond at Lowther Gardens in Lytham named
The tragic discovery prompted a major emergency services presence at the popular gardens, with the area cordoned off while police dealt with the incident.
A woman found dead in a pond in Lytham has been named.
Lancashire Police were called at 9am on Monday, September 7, to reports of a body found in a pond at Lowther Gardens, in Lowther Terrace, Lytham.
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Today the woman has been named locally as 49-year-old Sarah Bickerstaffe.
The tragic discovery prompted a major emergency services presence at the popular gardens, with the area cordoned off while police dealt with the incident. Police vehicles blocked all entrances to the gardens and police tape was placed across the gates. The police, fire brigade and an air ambulance were among the emergency services at the scene.
The Stepping Out Nordic walking group were due to enter the gardens at 10.30am and were prevented from doing so by the police cordon. The incident also affected the Lowther Pavilion theatre, which is located at the heart of the gardens. Around 10 members of staff, including chief executive and artistic director Tim Lince, were confined to the building while the site was cordoned off.
The theatre was allowed to open at around 11am, ahead of an afternoon classical music recital and an evening concert by prog rock superstar Rick Wakeman. “We just followed police instruction and we got on with work as usual,” said Tim, while a member of the walking group said it was ‘such a sad situation’.
A Lancashire Police said: “Emergency services attended the scene and very sadly found the body of a woman in her 40s. Our thoughts are with her loved ones at this difficult time.
“Her death is not being treated as suspicious, and a file will be passed to the coroner in due course.”
Lowther Gardens, which hosted a food and drink festival over the August Bank Holiday weekend, is regularly used for events and is one of seven Green Flag parks in Fylde. The popular site features a children's playground, padel courts, a bowling green and a café, and is a well-used location for walkers and dog walkers.
It can be accessed from West Beach, facing Lytham Green, or from Church Road.