Girl Dies On School Trip

Girl Dies On School Trip

The heartbroken family of an 11-year-old girl who died on a school trip to the Scottish Highlands have spoken of their loss.

Ruby Dench fell ill during a visit to the Loch Inch activity centre near the Highland village of Kincraig. The year seven pupil was with a party of 58 children from Whiteabbey Primary School in Northern Ireland.

The emergency services were called when the little girl was found unconscious at about 2.30am. Despite efforts to resuscitate her, she was pronounced dead at Raigmore Hospital in Inverness.

Her devastated family released a statement paying tribute to her, but asking for privacy.

"We are obviously devastated at the loss of our precious Ruby. Due to the distance involved and due process required, funeral arrangements have yet to be confirmed," they wrote. "The family would ask that their privacy be respected at this terrible time."

Ruby's headteacher Peter Wright said she was talented, vivacious and with a lot to offer. He added that counselling was being offered to her classmates.

The Scotsman reports that Ruby's death was currently being treated as unexplained, but a post mortem was due to be carried out.

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