A TEENAGE GIRL has died in hospital after collapsing in a north-east park.

Bethan Webb was with friends in Nicol Park, Portlethen, when she took ill on Saturday evening around 8.15pm.

Attempts to resuscitate the 13-year-old failed and she was taken by ambulance to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, where she later died.

Dozens of floral tributes have been laid at the park paying tribute to the teenager.

Family friend Susi Michie, of Bruntland Road, Portlethen, said Bethan was a shy girl who was beginning to come out of her shell.

“She was just bright and sparky. She always used to say she wanted to be a mum and she was great with her younger sister.”

“Bethan was turning into a really wonderful young woman. She was very quiet but just starting out in life.

“She was very sporty and liked her running. They are a very active family, she was a credit to her parents.”

Mrs Michie said the teenager had not been drinking at the park.

“I cannot believe for a minute there was any alcohol involved. It was just a bunch of kids having fun. Bethan was not that kind of girl. She would go up to the park to giggle and chat and have fun.”

She said her mother Christine Marshall and father Mike Webb were “totally devastated” by their daughter’s death.

The teenager lived on Broomfield Road with her mother and younger sister Megan (11). The girls often visited their father, who also lives in Portlethen.

Aberdeenshire councillor Paul Melling said, “Everybody is shocked. It’s a real tragedy for the family.

“Apparently there is a bit of a history of this type of thing in the family, though not at this young age.”

Portlethen Academy rector Bert Swinborn said staff and pupils were being offered support and counselling to deal with Bethan’s death.

“Staff, pupils and everyone associated with Portlethen Academy are deeply shocked and saddened by the tragic death of one of our pupils.

“She was a quiet, pleasant girl, very well liked by staff and her many friends at the academy. She was doing well in school and had great potential.”

A Grampian Police spokesman said, “There appears to be no suspicious circumstances. As is normal in such circumstances a report will be submitted to the procurator fiscal.”