An 11-year-old girl was found dead in the Gore Water river in Midlothian, Scotland, on Thursday, August 7, 2026, following a large-scale search operation.
Police Scotland received concerns for the girl's safety at Gore Glen Woodland Park near Gorebridge around 12:40 p.m. Emergency services, including the Scottish Ambulance Service and Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, were dispatched to the scene. The girl was discovered in the river near Shank Bridge around 4:25 p.m. and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police have stated that the death is being treated as unexplained and that inquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances. The girl's family has been informed.
Officers maintained a presence at the scene, with a significant area of the woodland surrounding the discovery site cordoned off. A single bunch of flowers was placed on the railings of Shank Bridge.
In the hours before the discovery, local community social media pages featured appeals to find the youngster, who was last seen on the bridge. The news has deeply affected residents of the nearby village of Gorebridge, with many expressing shock and devastation.
Colin Beattie, the Member of the Scottish Parliament for Midlothian North, released a statement expressing his deep sadness. He extended his thoughts to the girl's family and friends and acknowledged the distressing nature of the incident for the local community.