Kirsten killed in tragic car smash near Ellon
A TEENAGE girl has died after a car crashed into a burn in Aberdeenshire.
Emergency teams battled to save Kirsten Duguid, 14, after the car she was in was left submerged in water close to an unclassified road near Ellon on Friday night.
She had been rescued and rushed to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary with serious injuries.
Following the announcement of the youngster’s death last night, her family issued a statement paying tribute to her “kind-hearted spirit”.
“Kirsten was a much loved daughter, sister, granddaughter, great- granddaughter, cousin and niece,” the statement said.
“Her kindness, generosity and kind- hearted spirit touched many. Kirsten will be sorely missed and we would ask for time to grieve as a family.
“Our deepest heartfelt thanks go to all first responders and the medical staff at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.”
A 12- year- old girl and a 43- yearold man, understood to be her sister and father, were also travelling in the silver Audi A3. The 12-year-old was rescued.
Both were taken to hospital but have been discharged with minor injuries.
An eyewitness said there had been thick fog in the area around the time of the accident and there is around a 20ft drop between the road and the burn where the crash occurred. The single-track road was closed at its junction with the A948 for several hours while officers carried out inquiries. It re- opened at around 1am yesterday. Chief Inspector Elaine Logue, the local area commander, said: “This is a tragic incident which will touch the hearts of all those who knew Kirsten, as well as the wider community. “Our thoughts at this time are with Kirsten’s family. “I would also like to acknowledge the efforts of the emergency services who attended at the scene – it is clear brave attempts were made to free the young girls from the vehicle.
“Members of the public also assisted and I would like to thank them for everything they did to help while faced with such tragic circumstances.
“Inquiries are ongoing and are at an early stage and as always I would appeal to anyone with any information, or who saw the vehicle prior to the collision, to contact police on 101.”
Meanwhile, a five-year-old boy is in a serious condition in hospital following a separate two- car crash in south Lanarkshire yesterday.
The boy was a rear seat passenger in a Ford Focus which was involved in a collision with a Mercedes outside a busy cafe and car wash in Carluke.
He suffered a serious head injury and was taken to Wishaw General.
The 27- year- old female driver of the Focus had minor injuries and the 35- year- old male driver of the Mercedes was not hurt.