Tragedy at Pendleton Pond

The cold whipped around Mary but she did not shudder. Focused on the search for her sweet child, she watched on as people skated, how they held on to their loved ones as they glided by. She wore no coat nor hat as she took in the scene, eerily still, she watched. Her memories were disordered and dim as she tried to remember how she got here. An incredible ache in her heart as she waited for her daughter, she would wait here, she told herself. She would wait until the ice has thawed and spring returned, she was sure her child would return too.

A warning has been issued as the warmer weather approaches, one to stay safe and to educate your family regarding swimming in inland waters. Despite many drownings in the area, thousands of tourists still flock to Loch Marlen (known to locals as Pendleton Pond) every year to enjoy wild swimming and the beautiful scenery that surrounds it. Local councilman Robert Hatfield called on tourists to please be responsible and aware of the dangers in deeper waters. "Strong currents flow underneath like in any large body of water and it's very easy to be swept up in one." When asked about the rumours that the Loch is haunted by the former residents of Pendleton, the small village that it was built upon 40 years earlier, the councilman simply stated that he was aware of the rumours but they were unfounded. He added that deaths could be easily prevented if people exercised caution when in and around open water.

Local restaurant owner Sharon Jonty has a differing opinion. "There's reason locals stay away in the summertime, and it's not because we don't like tourists! We love them! Please come visit Jonty's Joint you'll get a fantastic welcome but i will always tell people to avoid Pendleton Pond and recommend other sights to see nearby. The place is very haunted, they built it upon a place where dozens of people died! Some of the buildings still remain underneath, it's very creepy!"

In it's 40 year history a total of 164 deaths have occurred in Loch Marlen, most victims befalling death by drowning. At least 14 bodies are estimated to remain undiscovered in it's murky depths. The former village of Pendleton was ravaged by a fire 74 years ago. The village perished when a fire broke out during an evening service at Pendleton Parish which blazed throughout the church and many homes that surrounded it taking the lives of more than half of it's 112 residents.

Georgia turned her head from the front passenger seat to answer her young daughter, "-because darling, if you have your snacks now you'll have nothing to eat later and there are no shops at the Loch." Darla started to pout, and Georgia braced herself for a tantrum "-we are almost there though so as soon as we get Trip out of the back you can help me find a good picnic spot." Seemingly placated Darla said "okay mummy" and returned to singing from the Moana sound track and she returned to staring out of at the trees and hills that lined the roads as they drove.

"You're not still feeling anxious about what Mrs. Jonty said are you?" her husband asked her from the drivers seat. "It's not just Mrs. Jonty though is it? All the villagers refuse to come up here during the summer, it's weird even you have to admit that."

"You know, I'm surprised you're so reluctant to come up here with your fascination with all things morbid and macabre."

He took his hand from the wheel for a moment to give her thigh a little squeeze so she knew he was teasing her. She did usually embrace all things spooky but her anxiety here wasn't just a reaction to the terrifying tales the local café owner liked to spurn out daily to anyone who enquired about the Loch, it was the water itself. Her husband knew she was a poor swimmer and he would probably attribute some of her sullenness to that, however she had never told him the reason she hadn't learned to swim properly, choosing to keep her trauma repressed.

"We'll only stay in the shallow parts right?" she asked, using a reason he would accept for her low mood on what is supposed to be a fun family day out. Squeezing her thigh again he tried to reassure her.

"Yes of course, we'll have a good day, I'm excited! As long as we avoid the ghosts!"

She smacked him lightly on the arm with the back of her hand, "Don't tease! There is definitely something creepy about the whole thing. Chloe from Zumba said her neighbours sister body was never found after she jumped in off the big water slide." She shuddered at the thought of people swimming where a body lays below.

He sighed more loudly than she appreciated before he began to explain why the fear of ghosts was irrational and most of the stories she had heard whilst tragic, were also the result of foolishness and a lack of safety equipment around the Loch. She let him continue on with explaining about all the recent upgrades and safety procedures that had been put in place at the Loch as they approached their destination.

Half an hour later they had unpacked the car, and Trip, their large friendly mutt, had nearly knocked Darla over several times as they walked excitedly through the meadow before reaching the water, taking him off of his leash was not an option. Georgia kept her eyes peeled for a comfortable spot to sit for lunch that had a good view of the water but they would not be too close. Settled down onto a blanket, they ate sandwiches and as Georgia's mood relaxed, the sun had warmed up, making the small shallower edges of the water look cool and inviting. She observed parents with smaller children having a fun time in the Loch. Not wanting to miss a moment to make a memory with Darla, they took her to play with the other children. Her husband rolled his trouser legs up above his knees and walked slowly holding Darla's hand into the water. Georgia didn't even remove her sandals as she watched from the side, her toes barely wet but still enjoying seeing the smile on Darla's face as she splashed her dad and made new friends. She felt she must have held her breath for a whole minute when Darla put her head under to attempt a handstand but it must have been only 5 seconds and the prideful expression on her daughters face as she resurfaced nearly made her heart burst.

"Thank you for bringing us here today darling," she said as her husband walked over "Darla is having the best time!"

Looking at their daughter playing so confidently she was happy she hadn't let her neuroses ruin this for her. Smiling at his wife he replied "I knew we all would. I'm going to run back to the car and take my allergy tablets, my eyes are feeling sore. I'll take Trip, will you be okay here?" nodding her approval, she handed over the leash and fixed her eyes on Darla.

Nearly back at the car Trip started trying to pull him back. "Come on buddy we'll get back to them soon."

Trip began to bark and pull against his leash so vigorously, he was forced to let go. Chasing after Trip as he ran back to where his wife and daughter where, he soon heard the commotion that had caught Trips attention. Confusion flooded his head as he approached, not understanding the scene unfolding 50 feet away from him. He called for his wife as he ran towards her, Trip was already in the water paddling towards her. She screamed his name frantically as he tried to reach her.

"ROBERT!"

Diving in, his thoughts became clearer when he saw why Georgia was even in the water and switched course, making his way to his young daughter who was much further out into the deeper waters and her movement had ceased to be as frenetic as his wife's.

As winter draws in and the annual Wintertide Festival begins on a frozen Pendleton Pond, the local residents of Marlen View begin to visit the Loch for ice skating and curling and a host of other activities, including Christmas markets and food stalls from local vendors.

This is following a petition to reopen the area to the public after the death of former councilman Robert Hatfield's wife earlier this year. The councilman, his wife Georgia, 27, and young daughter visited the local beauty spot to walk their dog. Witnesses report a woman screaming for her husband and watched as she dived in after her child, despite the best efforts from bystanders Georgia Hatfield's body would not be recovered until 6 days later by an Underwater Search unit. A young child and dog were rescued and sustained minimal physical injuries.

Councilman Hatfield resigned a month after deeming the place unsafe for the public and a vote passed for a temporary lockdown of the area. Local business owners and residents are relieved that tourists will return but will be sure to pay tribute to Georgia Hatfield during the festival. Organiser and restaurant owner Sharon Jonty revealed Christmas Poinsettias would be gifted to every visitor, a sign of remembrance of Georgia through her favourite flower. "We will not forget what happened to this young woman or Thomas Crane, or the Moore family, or anyone that came before and sadly succumbed to the ghosts of Pendleton Pond, the only time it's safe is now when the ice is 8 inches deep, for some reason they cant reach us when it's frozen solid like that...i can park my food truck right on there, the young kids can skate and have fun, but when the ice melts, the fun is over!"

5 deaths occurred at Loch Marlen this summer before the lockdown commenced, taking the death toll in this stunning yet sinister location to 169.

The icy water lashed around Georgia but she did not shiver. A hand placed on her shoulder did not startle her. "I miss my daughter," she said longingly as she watched families skate above her. Her mind was a swamp as she tried remember how she got to be here, in her watery tomb. Her memories were obscured as she tried to recall her last moments. She was sure the hand on her shoulder had once been wrapped around her ankle. Mary nodded in empathy at Georgia's words. She knew how it had felt to be alone, to be ripped from your only child. They would wait, she told her, they would wait until the ice has thawed and spring returned, then they would get her daughter.