Midlothian community 'heartbroken' by death of 11-year-old girl after body pulled from water in Gorebridge
Police discovered her body in Gore Water underneath Shank bridge on Thursday afternoon (August 6)
A Midlothian community has been left shocked and saddened after an 11-year-old girl was found dead at a local beauty spot.
Police confirmed that the youngster’s body had been pulled from Gore Water following a search for her on Thursday afternoon (August 6).
The news has sparked an outpouring of love for the family and friends of the schoolgirl, who has not yet been identified.
Colin Beattie, the MSP for Midlothian North, said: “I was deeply saddened to hear of the tragic death of a young girl at Gore Glen Woodland Park.
“My thoughts are with her family, friends and all those affected by this heartbreaking loss.
“This is a deeply distressing incident for the local community, and I know many people will be shocked and saddened by the news.”
Posting on social media, one person said: “I can’t stop thinking of this poor little girl and her family. The pain and heartbreak her family are suffering is utterly unimaginable.
“My thoughts and prayers are with all the family and friends of this poor little soul.”
The situation was also described as “heartbreaking” by one individual, while another said: “This is so sad. My thoughts go out to her family and friends.”
Another person added: “Forever 11 wee one. Absolutely heartbreaking, thinking of the family at this very sad time. Sleep Tight.”
Police Scotland confirmed that they were called to the scene at Gore Glen Woodland Park after receiving reports of concern for a young girl at around 12.40pm on Thursday afternoon.
The Gore Glen area is a popular beauty spot near to the village of Gorebridge which has around eight-miles of woodland path beside the Gore Water and offers panoramic views of the Pentland Hills.
Following a search for the young girl, the Scottish Ambulance Service said that crews, including a special operations team and a critical care paramedic, were called to Shank Bridge at around 2.33pm.
Her body was found and pulled from the water around two hours later.
Police said that the 11-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene and her family have been informed.
There has been no cause of death given at the time of writing.
Officers are treating her death as “unexplained” with enquiries continuing into the circumstances surrounding her death.
A police cordon remained in place into Friday, August 7 with the woodland paths underneath the Shank Bridge having been taped off.
As a result, the walking route was blocked off from the public.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “We were made aware of concern for an 11-year-old girl in the Gore Glen area, near Gorebridge, around 12.40pm on Thursday August 6.
“The body of the girl was found in the Gore Water near to Shank Bridge around 4.25pm.
“She was pronounced dead at the scene and her family are aware.
“Her death is being treated as unexplained and inquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances.”
A spokesperson for the Scottish Ambulance Service said: “We received a call at 2.33pm on Thursday to attend an incident in Gorebridge and dispatched two ambulances, our special operations team and a critical care paramedic to the scene.”
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) also said that two appliances were dispatched to Shank Bridge minutes at 4.29pm, minutes after the young girl’s body had been pulled from the water.
SFRS said that the two appliances were dispatched to “support emergency services partners”.