Counselling for pupils after girl, 14, found dead

‘We’re just in a state of shock’

SCHOOLCHILDREN have been offered counselling after the body of a 14-year-old girl was found in a park.

The teenager, named locally as Rhiann Milne, was found in Bourtreehill Park in Irvine, Ayrshire, on Monday morning.

A large area of the popular park remained cordoned off yesterday as forensic officers carried out work at the scene.

Rhiann’s classmates and teachers at St Matthew’s Academy in nearby Saltcoats have been offered counselling in the wake of the tragedy.

Pupils at Greenwood Academy in Dreghorn, Ayrshire, where Rhiann had previously attended, were also offered support.

A North Ayrshire Council spokesman said: ‘We are saddened by the tragic death of a hard-working and conscientious pupil and our immediate thoughts are with the family.

‘We shall ensure that we reach out to our school communities to provide support and counselling to pupils and staff.’

At her home, less than a mile from where the teenager’s body was found, Cass Milne, Rhiann’s step-grandmother, said: ‘We’re just back from the hospital and it’s too early to talk about it. We’re just in a state of shock and devastated.’

Police said the teenager’s death was being treated as ‘unexplained’.