A NINE-YEAR-OLD girl has died after falling into a deep water pit in Colne.

Lisa Regan died after plummeting into a storage pit at BSN Medical Supplies, in North Valley Road, on Saturday afternoon.

And a neighbour today told how he went to help save the child and attempted to give her giving mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.

Lee Riley, 32, of Talbot Street, Colne, was on his way to his stag do when he heard screams from the water pits.

The unemployed father-of-two jumped over the railings into the yard, where Lisa and friend John Murphy, six, were pulled from the water.

Lee, who will marry partner Pat, 42, in June, attempted to resuscitate her while paramedics rushed to the scene.

Today Lee said: "I was walking to the pub to catch the minibus for Blackpool for my stag do when I heard shouts. I looked over and saw Lisa and John being pulled out of the water.

"I didn't really have time to think but instinct kicked in and I ran to help.

"Lisa seemed to be unconscious and not breathing so I started to give her mouth-to-mouth, which I knew how to do from first aid training. I just carried on trying to make her breathe until paramedics arrived."

Lee said after waiting for Lisa to be taken to hospital he went to meet pals. He added: "The stag do was a memorable occasion and I won't forget it in a hurry for the wrong reasons."

Police and the Health and Safety Executive have launched a joint investigation into the incident.

Lisa had been playing with a group of four or five friends in the compound when she fell into the water and was unable to climb out.

Despite treatment by paramedics, doctors at Burnley General Hospital and Manchester Children's Hospital, in Pendlebury, the youngster died on Sunday morning.

John Murphy was rescued with Lisa by passers-by and was recovering at home today in Keighley Avenue after a stay in Burnley General Hospital.

Lisa's parents, William, 50, and Lin Regan, 38, of Belgrave Road were today too upset to speak. They were being comforted by friends at their terraced home along with Lisa's brother Craig, seven.

Emergency services were called to the scene at Empress Mills about 2pm after and screams where heard outside the medical supply company.

Firefighters from across the county were called to help with the rescue operation and to carry out a search of the three water pits. The water was pumped out of the pits as part of the search, as fire crew in dry suits scoured the murky depths.

A post mortem examination was due to be carried out over the weekend to establish the exact cause of Lisa's death and the East Lancashire coroner has been informed.

The police and HSE investigation will focus on how the friends managed to gain entry to the yard containing the water lodges and whether there was any criminal negligence on the part of the company. It will also try to establish how long they were in the water.

Police were today expected to talk to youngsters with Lisa and John at the time of the accident.

Detective Inspector Sam Birtwell, of Burnley CID, is leading the investigation.

He said: "Parents should make sure their children are aware of the dangers of playing near water, even if they can swim, because there can be tragic consequences as in this case.

"We will be looking at trying to establish how the children got in and at the security of the compound."

The open water pits are surrounded by an 8ft-high wall and barbed wire fence running along the main road.

There are danger signs warning people to keep out.

The water is used by the company to flush out the bleaching and dyeing machines at the factory.