Heartbroken mum pays tribute to tragic Alana

HEARTBROKEN mum Kim Lynch has paid tribute to her “quiet, ambitious and caring” daughter Alana after her death at the age of just 16.

The Grove Academy pupil died on Monday with Kim by her bedside, after she developed sepsis from burns on her legs.

Alana was admitted to Ninewells Hospital on December 6 after accidentally pouring hot water over her legs while making a cup of tea.

Her wounds were dressed in hospital, before she was sent home with paracetamol for the pain, with doctors telling her to get in touch if any other issues arose.

“Alana was badly scalded down the front of both her legs but initially she seemed to be doing OK and she never complained once so we thought everything was going to be OK,” Kim said.

“During the week I had to redo the dressings a couple of times but she was fine. Then the following Friday Alana began to develop a temperature and was complaining of pain in her arms and legs.

“By Saturday night she really wasn’t well and I was concerned that her wounds may have become infected and I phoned for advice.

“I was told to take her to Kings

Cross where her dressings were redone.”

However, by Sunday Alana wasn’t eating or drinking and her condition deteriorated.

She was taken into intensive care where Kim said about 10-15 doctors and nurses worked with her continuously to try to stabilise her.

“Everyone did everything they could for Alana and for a little while we thought she was improving,” she said.

“Sadly things got worse again and Alana died with me at her bedside on Monday afternoon.”

Alana’s fellow pupils at Grove Academy were told on Tuesday she had died, with many left in tears following the news.

Kim believes it is important for Alana’s friends to know the circumstances which surrounded her death, after she had taken unwell in such a quick period of time.

She was worried that, due to her daughter’s battles with anxiety over recent years, her friends would worry it had played a part in her death.

Kim added: “Alana had anxiety issues so I feel it is very important to let her friends know that what happened was an accident, that she never did anything to harm herself.

“I would hate any of them to think that. Alana would be the first to go to any of her friends who may have been suffering from any problems and I need them to know this was an accident.”

Alana was popular at school, with a passion for music and photography.

She was also a regular volunteer at The Braes, and helped with their riding for the disabled programme before the Covid-19 pandemic struck.

Alana had a passion for music and photography. Inset: Alana on holiday.