Girl, 11, dies after being hit by bin lorry as she made her way to school

09 February 2024 , 17:10

1001     0

Elizabeth Bell

Tributes have poured in for an 11-year-old schoolgirl who has died days after being hit by a bin lorry on the way to school.

The collision happened on the B6105 near East Gordon in the Scottish Borders at around 8.05am on Wednesday, January 31. Elizabeth Bell, 11, was taken to the Royal Hospital for Children in Edinburgh but she died a week later, on February 7, police said.

Officers are appealing for information about the crash, which happened near a junction with an unclassified local road. Sergeant Dom Doyle said: “Our thoughts are with Elizabeth’s family and they have asked for privacy at this very difficult time. Inquiries are ongoing and we are asking anyone who has not already spoken to officers and can assist with our investigation to get in touch.”

Gordon and Earlston Primary Schools, where Elizabeth was a pupil, has set up a GoFundMe page to give her "the best possible send-off". A statement on the page reads: "Following the tragic loss of our lovely Elizabeth, our school communities are keen to support her family in giving her the best possible send off. Elizabeth was a bright, friendly, kind and caring soul who was a valued member of Gordon and Earlston Primary Schools and will be dearly missed."

Kevin Wilson, headteacher of the school, posted in a tribute on Facebook: "Following the tragic news regarding Elizabeth, we have received lots of messages of support and condolences for the parents. The suggestion made this week was for there to be a GoFundMe page created to support Elizabeth’s parents during this challenging time so that they can give her the best possible send off.

Nursery apologises after child with Down's syndrome ‘treated less favourably’

"On behalf of both our school communities, we have included a link below should anyone wish to offer some financial assistance. Please feel free to share this far and wide." The fundraiser has so far raised nearly £3,000 in under nine hours.

Anyone with information is asked to call Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 0574 of January 31.

Lucinda Cameron