Tributes paid to girl lost in river

Police find 12-year-old Ava’s body after reports of child in difficulty

Police yesterday confirmed the body pulled from a river in the west of Scotland following a search was that of 12-year-old Ava Gray, from Alexandria.

Officers had been called to a report of the youngster being in difficulty in the River Leven, near Balloch Bridge, at about 6.45pm on Sunday.

Police said: “Emergency services attended and searches were carried out. Around 9.45pm, the young girl was recovered from the water. Sadly she was pronounced dead at the scene.”

West Dumbartonshire Police, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency were involved in the search.

Two other youths, one boy and one girl, managed to get themselves out of the water.

The 12-year-old-girl was recovered from the water and pronounced dead at the scene at about 9.45pm.

The child’s family were informed and inquiries are ongoing but police are not treating the death as suspicious.

A full report will be sent to the procurator fiscal.

Tributes were paid to the schoolgirl. Dance teacher Holly Douglas wrote on Facebook: “My dancing angel I am heart broken.

“Words can’t describe the way I feel Ava we all love you so, so much you will never be forgotten... you will always be part of our team and our family.

“The world is a cruel place thinking of all the family right now, Ava I love you so, so much.”

Social media users also paid tribute. One said: “Absolutely heartbreaking such a beautiful girl, thinking of the family and all the girls at dancing.”

Another said: “So sorry to read this thinking of you all and Ava’s family at this really difficult time a beautiful girl taken far too soon.”