A mosque attended by the family of a 14-year-old boy who died at a school in Blackburn, West Lothian, has called for an end to “assumptions and speculations” as police continue their investigation.
Emergency services were called to St Kentigern’s academy in Blackburn on Tuesday afternoon. The school said the incident, which is understood to have involved two 14-year-old boys, took place in the grounds on Tuesday lunchtime. A pupil was taken to hospital but died shortly afterwards.
A statement released by Bathgate mosque said the death had “left the community devastated, especially with the loss of a young life”.
“During these difficult moments, the family needs our support and prayers … It is crucial that we refrain from making assumptions and speculations regarding this tragedy.
“We request everyone to show respect and compassion towards the family in this challenging time.”
The circumstances of the death, which the school has described as “an isolated incident”, have been the subject of significant online rumour and speculation, with some linking it to social media challenges popular among young people. It is understood that the police will not comment further until after a postmortem has taken place.
Floral tributes and messages of condolence were left outside the school on Thursday.
Responding to a question about the tragedy during first minister’s questions at Holyrood on Thursday, Humza Yousaf also called for an end to speculation around the incident.
He said: “This is the worst tragedy. Anybody who is a parent will know there cannot be a worse fear or nightmare that a parent has than losing a child. I cannot think what the family are going through and I know the whole community, including the school community, has been deeply affected.”
Speaking to the media on Wednesday, the school’s headteacher, Andrew Sharkey, said: “Everyone in our school community has been devastated to learn of the tragic death of one of our students. Our thoughts and prayers are with their family and friends and we extend our deepest condolences and offers of support”.
The school held a special assembly on Wednesday morning and said it was providing staff and pupils with support.
St Kentigern’s is a Catholic comprehensive school of about 1,300 students, with former pupils including the singers Lewis Capaldi and Susan Boyle.
Scotland’s education secretary, Jenny Gilruth, said: “My heartfelt sympathies go out to the family and friends of this pupil, and all of the students and staff at the school affected by this terrible news.”
