Tributes are paid to ‘bright and sparky’ teenager
Girl, 13, dies after collapse in north-east park
Published:
A teenage girl has died after collapsing in a north-east park.
Bethan Webb was with friends at Portlethen, when she took ill on Saturday at around 8.15pm. Attempts were made to resuscitate the 13-year-old and she was taken to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary where she later died.
Dozens of floral tributes have been laid at Nicol Park.
Family friend Susi Michie, of Portlethen, said Bethan was a shy girl who was beginning to come out of her shell. “She was just bright and sparky,” she said. “She always used to say she wanted to be a mum and she was great with her younger sister.
“Bethan was turning into a really wonderful young woman. She was very quiet but just starting out in life.
“She was very sporty and liked her running. They are a very active family. She was a credit to her parents.”
Mrs Michie said the teenager had not been drinking at the park. “I cannot believe for a minute there was any alcohol involved. It was just a bunch of kids having fun.”
She said that her mother, Christine Marshall, and father, Mike Webb, were “totally devastated” by their daughter’s death.
The teenager lived in Broomfield Road with her mother and younger sister Megan, 11. The girls often visited their father, who also lives at Portlethen.
Local councillor Paul Mel-ling said: “Apparently there is a bit of a history of this type of thing in the family, though not at this young age.”
Portlethen Academy rector Bert Swinborn said staff and pupils were being offered support and counselling to deal with Bethan’s death.
“Staff, pupils and everyone associated with Portlethen Academy are deeply shocked and saddened. She was a quiet, pleasant girl, very well liked by staff and her many friends at the academy. She was doing well in school and had great potential. Her loss is being very deeply felt by all who knew her. Our thoughts and sympathies go to her family and friends.”
A police spokesman said: “There appears to be no suspicious circumstances.”
