Heartbreaking tributes left for girl who died after incident at swimming pool

16 February 2024 , 14:14

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Jessica Rennie died after getting into difficulty in the water (Image: Daily Record)

Heartbreaking tributes have been paid to a 10-year-old girl who died after an incident at a swimming pool.

Jessica Rennie passed away in hospital after getting into difficulty in the water at the Northfield Pool in Kettleshill Crescent, Aberdeen, on Monday. A police probe has been launched into the death, which is not being treated as suspicious.

Jessica’s heartbroken sister shared a series of photos of her on social media yesterday, saying the youngster would be “forever 10”. She wrote: “I can’t believe this is real, my beautiful baby sister, forever 10. I hope there’s unlimited ice cream and every Harry Potter thing you could have dreamt of. Fly high princess."

Emergency crews were called to the Sport Aberdeen facility at around 8pm on Monday but nothing could be done to save the schoolgirl, who was due to turn 11 next week.

A local man, Yilmaz Huseyin, has since created a fundraising page to support the girl’s mum with funeral costs. The local community have since rallied round the stricken family and had raised more than £14,000 yesterday to give Jessica “the best send-off possible”.

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Yilmaz told Daily Record : “We have created a GoFundMe for the beautiful Jessica. No family should ever have to be prepared for such a loss. Can the city of Aberdeen and afar please come together and donate as much or little as you can and help the family to give Jessica the best send-off we can.”

A tribute on the page said: “Devastating – no words or money could ever replace such a beautiful child. Heartbreaking.” Another said: “Rest in peace beautiful girl. Let’s see Aberdeen come together for one of its own.”

Labour councillor Deena Tissera said a full investigation must be carried out. She said: “The circumstances of this tragic accident require to be investigated by Sport Aberdeen as this facility has just had millions of pounds spent on its upgrade. Aberdeen City Council as landlords for the facility should also carry out an investigation.”

A scotland>Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Inquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances surrounding the death.” The pool said on its website it will remain closed until further notice. Donations to Yilmaz's page can be made here.

John-Paul Clark