The family of twin boys who died in a drowning tragedy in Fife at the weekend have been targeted by Facebook trolls.
Abusive comments were left on Fife Police Division’s Facebook page below an update on the deaths of two-year-olds Rhys and Shaun Scott.
The toddlers lost their lives on Saturday morning after falling into a giant fish tank at a house in Dalgety Bay.
Sandra Rodgers, aunt of the twins’ mother, said: “Our niece has just tragically lost her two gorgeous boys, and the family are devastated and heartbroken. Let the authorities do their investigations and leave the family to grieve for Shaun and Rhys in peace please.”
Insensitive remarks were later deleted. Police Scotland confirmed it had removed the comments.
There had been numerous calls for the thread to be moderated.
One from Mhairi Paterson said: “Fife Police Division can this post please be removed or edited in respect of this poor family’s loss. Absolutely no reason for this to be public.”
It is understood parents Mervyn Scott, 30, and Sarah Aitken, 32, were tenants in the detached house where a 2m deep tank for keeping koi fish had been installed in an extension at the side of the property.
They discovered the boys had fallen into the tank at around 8.20am on Saturday. Medical staff were unable to save the tots and they died in hospital.
Police Scotland is still in the early stages of an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
The force is following standard procedures after the accident, which happened in Breakers Way.
A Crown Office spokesman said: “These tragic deaths are the subject of investigation and a report to the Procurator Fiscal.
“It would be inappropriate to say anything more at such an early stage of the investigation.”