A young girl has died after being found in the water at a popular Scottish beauty spot.
Emergency services mounted a major search operation after being told of concerns for the 11-year-old’s safety at Gore Glen Woodland Park, in Midlothian.
Police were alerted to the incident at around 12.40pm on Thursday and nearly two hours later paramedics were sent to the scene.
She was discovered hours later in the park’s Gore Water, near Shank Bridge. The girl, whose identify has not been revealed, was pronounced dead at the scene.
A Police Scotland spokesman said: ‘Her death is being treated as unexplained, and inquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances.’
The force said the youngster’s family are aware.
Officers were yesterday stood guard at the scene as they investigated the death, with a large area of woodland surrounding the water where she was discovered cordoned off by police tape.
And a single bunch of flowers were left tucked into roadside railings of the Shank Bridge, which carries the A7 road over the Gore Water.
The 11-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene after a search operation was mounted at Gore Glen Woodland Park
Gore Glen is popular with walkers given its quiet woodland setting
In the hours leading up to the discovery community internet pages had locals sharing an appeal to find the youngster who was last seen on the bridge.
And the news of her death has devastated locals in the nearby Gorebridge.
Those living in the village said the were in ‘complete shock’ saying the news was ‘devastating’.
One parent who only gave his first name, Colin, said:‘It’s frightening. My daughter is now banned from there. She’s not allowed.’
Another one added: ‘I think everyone is in complete shock. My thoughts are with the poor girl and her family. It is absolutely devastating.’
Colin Beattie, the MSP for Midlothian North, said he was ‘deeply saddened to hear of the tragic death’ of the young girl.
The local MSP added: ‘My thoughts are with her family, friends and all those affected by this heartbreaking loss.
‘This is a deeply distressing incident for the local community, and I know many people will be shocked and saddened by the news.’
The police spokesman added: ‘We were made aware of concern for an 11-year-old girl in the Gore Glen area, near Gorebridge, around 12.40pm on Thursday, August 6.
‘The body of the girl was found in the Gore Water, near to Shanks Bridge, around 4.25pm.
‘She was pronounced dead at the scene, and her family are aware.’
The Scottish Ambulance Service said at 2.33pm it sent two ambulances, a special operations team and a critical care paramedic to the scene.
And the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said it sent two engines ‘to support emergency service partners’ at 4.29pm. Its spokesman said: ‘Crews left after ensuring the area was safe.’
Gore Glen was the site of a gunpowder mill in the late 18th century, and for nearly 70 years the Gore Water was used to power 10 water wheels.
But the woodland park is now popular with walkers as it boasts panoramic views of the nearby Pentland Hills to the south of Edinburgh.
Gorebridge, just outside the Scottish capital, is a former mining village that has grown into a small town and is home to around 8,900 people.
