'Shock and heartbreak' after death of girl, 9, as family camp nearby
The girl was found seriously injured just after midnight and later died in hospital
A town has been left in ‘shock and heartbreak’ after a nine-year-old girl - whose family were on a camping trip in the area - died in suspicious circumstances.
A 35-year-old man, who was known to the girl, has been arrested in connection with the death of the child, who was found seriously injured on the Elliot Industrial Estate in Arbroath just after midnight on Monday morning.
She was taken to Ninewells Hospital in Dundee, but did not survive.
Police Scotland said “extensive inquiries” were ongoing, but that no one else was being sought in connection with her death.
Members of the girl’s family, from West Yorkshire, were in the area on camping trip at the time and are being supported by officers.
The Scottish Ambulance Service said it received a call at 11:53pm on Sunday to attend an incident at the industrial estate Three ambulances and a paramedic response unit were dispatched to the scene, with three patients taken to Ninewells.
A police forensics tent has been erected at the Elliot Industrial Estate, with a cordon put in place next to the Halliburton manufacturing facility while investigations continue.
One eyewitness who works in a business based in the industrial estate told The Scotsman he visited his workplace at around 6.15pm on Sunday, when he passed a family that appeared to be camping at the side of the road, having parked a green or teal coloured Peugeot car.
He said: “They had a wee tent pitched on the grass - just a basic, two man pop up style tent like you’d get in a supermarket rather than a more substantial camping tent.
“The car had one of the foil windscreen covers on it. I saw a man and a woman and two kids - one was a girl and I think a younger boy. They looked like they were making or clearing up food.”
The man said that when he passed by the scene again after leaving his work around 25 to 30 minutes later, the family were still at the tent.
“I thought it was a pretty strange place to camp, especially given the beach at Elliot which is two minutes away and is obviously a bit more picturesque,” he added.
The industrial estate is located a short walk away from the Red Lion Holiday Park, a popular destination for families. The owners of the holiday park, Errol-based Perthshire Caravans, told The Scotsman it did not have any information when asked if the family had visited the premises.
Another eyewitness said she also passed the area on Sunday evening and saw a green tent pitched on the grass at the side of the road, with two camping chairs and rubbish lying beside them.
Karen Youngson told The Courier: “I thought it seems a really weird place to be camping and to have a picnic. There was also a green car there.”
She added: “At the time there was no sign of anyone. There was no noise or lights or anyone to suggest to anyone was there. I actually thought that whoever it was might be sleeping for the night. It just struck us as very, very odd.”
Detective Inspector Mike Ness of the major investigation team said: “Our thoughts remain with those affected by these events.
“Members of the public will see an increased police presence and activity in the area as enquiries continue. This is intended to reassure the public and anyone who may have information should approach these officers or contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 0008 of Monday 3 August.”
Lloyd Melville, the SNP MSP for Angus South, said the news of the girl’s death was “heartbreaking and horrific.”
“I very much hope the family receive the support they need from the police, and my thoughts remain with them as they face this awful tragedy,” he wrote on X.
Lois Speed, who represents the Arbroath East and Lunan ward at Angus Council, said the incident had left people “shocked,” describing it as “heartbreaking.”
She said: “I think everybody is just feeling at a loss for words, because it is just devastating. I have not spoken to anyone directly but [from] the social media shares and comments, everyone is just shocked and saddened.
“I think everyone's thoughts are with those directly impacted, the wee girl, her family and everyone close. Everyone will be thinking of them and how difficult this must be.”
Ms Speed added: “Arbroath is a close community. In the past when there have been tragic events, everyone gets around and supports each other.”
Her fellow Arbroath councillor, Jack Cruickshanks, described the death of the young girl as a “profound tragedy.”
He said: “My thoughts and prayers are with her family and loved ones as they face an unimaginable loss.
“I want to express my gratitude to the emergency services who responded, and to acknowledge the professionalism with which they continue to carry out their duties in exceptionally difficult circumstances.
Mr Cruickshanks added: “It is essential that they are given the time and space to establish the full facts, and I would urge anyone who may have information that could assist their enquiries to come forward.
“At a time like this, our thoughts should remain with a family facing an unimaginable loss. As a community, we should respect their privacy, avoid speculation, and allow the police investigation to proceed.”
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