THE FAMILY of a 12-year-old girl who was airlifted to hospital after getting into trouble swimming in a river near Witney have said she is ‘alive and okay’.

Older sister Jade Halliwell wrote on Facebook on Sunday evening that the girl was ‘doing okay’, hours after she was transported to hospital in a life-threatening condition.

The girl was rescued from the River Windrush off New Mill Lane, north of Witney, by a member of the public.

Dozens of messages have been left on social media and Ms Halliwell said the family appreciated the support at a difficult time.

She said: “She’s a little fighter so she will get through anything.

“Thank you for everyone’s support through this terrifying time, we are truly grateful.”

It is understood the girl had been swimming with friends when she got into trouble.

Thames Valley Police was called to the scene at 12.30pm on Sunday, before firecrews and paramedics provided life-saving first aid.

She was then transported to the John Radcliffe Hospital in an air ambulance.

Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue attended the incident and tweeted yesterday: “Hot weather,school holidays and the county’s open waters are tempting.

“But after a near fatal drowning at Witney with a 12-year-old girl taken to hospital by air ambulance, don’t swim in unsupervised waters is our strong advice.”

Witney MP Robert Courts tweeted on Sunday: “This is very distressing news.

“The thoughts of everyone in Witney are with this young girl and her family.”

The Environment Agency made an appeal last month telling people not to swim at unsupervised sites and to take extra precautions when swimming in open water.

The government agency urged people not to take ‘unnecessary risks’ in the hot weather.