Adventure turns to tragedy as boy of 12 dies in fall from tree
A SCHOOLBOY died after falling from a tree while visiting relatives at the seaside during his half-term break.
Lachlan MacKenzie, 12, was seriously injured after the accident in woodlands in Troon, Ayrshire.
Emergency services went to Fullarton Park Woods but Lachlan, a first-year pupil at Alford Academy, Aberdeenshire, died at the scene on Thursday afternoon.
The tragedy happened in dense woodland off Isle of Pin Road, near Marr Rugby Club on the outskirts of the town. Fullarton Park Woods includes a variety of species, including beech, oak and Sitka spruce, some of which stand more than 50ft tall.
It is understood Lachlan, from Muir of Fowlis, Aberdeenshire, and his family were visiting other family members on the West Coast during the October break.
Most local residents were not aware of the tragedy in the popular Firth of Clyde town but one man said he had heard the boy was with his grandparents at the time.
The man, who wished to remain anonymous, said: ‘Nobody really knows what happened but I heard that the boy was with his grandparents. It happened in the woods just around the corner. We’ve heard about it on the news but don’t know any details.’
Lachlan’s parents, Julie and Alistair MacKenzie, were not at their home in Muir of Fowlis yesterday.
A neighbour who lives next to the McKenzie home, which is on the outskirts of the village, said she did not wish to comment on the tragedy.
Lachlan, a former pupil of Craigievar Primary School, Alford, is understood to have two younger siblings.
Paying tribute to the popular youngster, Moira Milne, headteacher at Alford Academy, said: ‘We are deeply saddened by this news today.
‘Lachlan had settled into his first year at Alford Academy very well and this will come as a huge shock to the school and wider community.’
She added: ‘Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time.’
Tributes were also paid to Lachlan on social media after the accident.
Gemma Johnston wrote: ‘Rest in peace Lachlan, you were such a lovely wee boy.’
Ruth Sullivan said: ‘So very tragic, my heart goes out to Lachlan’s family. No words. Libby will miss him.’
Megan Anne Cowieson said: ‘So, so sad. Thoughts go out to Ally, Julie and their family.’
Nicola Eddie wrote: ‘Sleep tight, Lachlan. There really are no words, thinking of Julie, Ally, kids and family at this horrific time.’
A police spokesman said: ‘Around 3.20pm on Thursday, Lachlan MacKenzie, 12, from Muir of Fowlis, Aberdeenshire, was seriously injured after falling from a tree in Fullarton Park Woods, Isle of Pin Road, Troon.
‘Emergency services attended, however, he died at the scene. Relatives are aware.
‘There are no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death and a report will be submitted to the procurator fiscal.’
In 2002, promising student Susan Green, 25, died after she fell from a tree during an end-of-term day out with friends to Loch Lomond.
Miss Green, of Navenby, Lincolnshire, visited the loch to mark the end of her final year archeology exams at Glasgow University when she decided to climb a 500-year-old oak near the boatyard at Balmaha, Stirlingshire.
She sustained fatal injuries when a branch broke under her weight, sending her crashing to the ground.
‘Deeply saddened by the news’ ‘Such a lovely wee boy’