Body found in search for missing girl, 12, in river

The body of a girl, 12, missing in a Scottish river has been found (Picture: @Natasha_Cxx/ @2015glasgow)

A body has been found in the search for a girl, 12, who went missing in a river in the west of Scotland.

Police Scotland were called to reports of the child struggling in the River Leven, near Balloch Bridge, West Dunbartonshire, around 6.45pm on August 9.

A search and rescue operation was then launched, involving West Dumbartonshire Police, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, while the public were asked to avoid the area.

The girl’s body was recovered from the water at 9.45pm, officers said. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Emergency services were first called to the area at 6.45pm on Sunday (Picture: @Natasha_Cxx)

The girl’s family have been informed of her death (Picture: @2015glasgow)

The child’s family have been informed of her death and enquiries are still ongoing, a police spokesperson said.

Officers are not treating the death as suspicious and a full report will be sent to the Procurator Fiscal.

Initial media reports of the missing girl stated that she was believed to be eight years old.

During Sunday evening helicopters could be seen above the village of Balloch, which sits at the foot of Loch Lomond.

A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said of the search on Sunday: ‘Operations control mobilised two appliances and two water rescue units to the scene at Balloch Bridge.’

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