The body of a 12-year-old girl has been recovered from the River Leven in Balloch.
A huge search operation was instigated involving coastguard teams, police and fire crews on the river yesterday evening at 6:45pm following reports of a girl in difficulty near Balloch Bridge.
Two rescue were spotted in the sky above the West Dunbartonshire town as the search took place, alongside a police underwater unit and rescue boats.
Tragically, police have confirmed that the body of a young girl was recovered from the water around three hours later.
Police say her death is not being treated as suspicious.
A Police Scotland statement said: "Around 6:45pm on Sunday, August 9, police were called to a report of a 12-year-old girl in difficulty in the River Leven near Balloch Bridge.
Emergency services attended and searches were carried out.
"Around 9.45pm, the young girl was recovered from the water. Sadly she was pronounced dead at the scene.
"Her relatives have been informed. Enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances of the incident, but the death is not being treated as suspicious and a full report will be sent to the Procurator Fiscal."
Our thoughts are with the young girl's family and friends at this difficult time.
UPDATE: Tributes have been paid to 12-year-old Ava Gray following the incident in Balloch yesterday. Full story here.
