A boy has died following an "isolated incident" at a high school in West Lothian. Emergency services were called to St Kentigern's Academy on West Main Street in Blackburn at 1.20pm on June 6 following reports of "concern" for the youngster.
He was rushed to hospital for treatment but died a short time later. Detectives are investigating the circumstances of his death.
Pupils are being offered "emotional support", according to a statement published on the school's website on Tuesday afternoon. The headteacher at St Kentigern's, which has Lewis Capaldi among its alumni, said the school community's "thoughts and prayers" were with the youngster's family.
Andrew Sharkey said: “Everyone in our school community has been devastated to learn of the tragic death of one of our pupils. Our thoughts and prayers are with their family and friends and we extend our deepest condolences and offers of support.
"We have set up ongoing emotional support and signposting for students and staff affected by this tragic news. We would like to respect the family’s privacy at this incredibly painful time. We are assisting the relevant authorities with their investigation to establish the facts and we will not be making any further comment at this time.”
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 1.20pm on Tuesday, 6 June, 2023, officers were called to a report of concern for a 14-year-old boy at a school in the Bathgate area.
"He was taken by ambulance to hospital for treatment, but died a short time later. His family have been informed and enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances of the death.”
An earlier statement, posted on St Kentigern's Academy's website, described the tragedy as an "isolated incident within the school grounds".
The statement added: "All parents of pupils directly affected have been contacted and we are assisting the relevant authorities with their ongoing enquiries. We have set up emotional support and signposting for students affected by today's incident and are unable to comment further at this time due to an ongoing police investigation."
Tributes have been paid to the youngster on social media by shocked locals. One local said: "Absolutely heartbreaking. You don't expect to send your child to school and not have him return home."
Another said: "Such a beautiful young soul taken too soon. This is totally heartbreaking for you all. My son attends St Kentigern's & is in shock that this has happened. I myself am heartbroken for you all and will keep you all in my prayers."
St Kentigern's, also known as St Kents, is best known for being Lewis Capaldi's secondary school. The hitmaker began writing songs at 12 years old and was encouraged by the music department to pursue his dreams of stardom.
Recently, pupils at the school surprised the worldwide phenomenen with an unusual statue to celebrate the release of his second album. Schoolkids involved in the project, which was six months in the making, were sworn to secrecy before unveiling the sculpture ahead of an intimate gig at Glasgow's SWG3 following the release of 'Broken by Desire to Be Heavenly Sent' in May.
But there was a twist to the gift - with the statue deliberately not bearing a particularly striking resemblance to the Scots crooner, 26. And the pupils were invited to the Someone You Loved hitmaker's SWG3 show as a thank-you from the Bathgate-born superstar.
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