11-year-old girl found dead in Gore Water

An 11-year-old girl died on Thursday, August 6, 2026, after being found in a river at a popular woodland park in Midlothian. Her body was discovered in the Gore Water near Shank Bridge in Gore Glen Woodland Park, near Gorebridge, at approximately 4:25 p.m. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police Scotland said they were first alerted to concerns for the girl's welfare in the Gore Glen area around 12:40 p.m. on Thursday, prompting a search operation. The girl's family has been informed of her death, which officers are treating as unexplained. Inquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances.

On Friday, August 7, police maintained a cordon around paths underneath Shank Bridge, which carries the A7 road over the river. A single bunch of flowers had been left on the bridge railings. The park is a known beauty spot with views of the Pentland Hills south of Edinburgh.

Multiple emergency services responded to the incident. The Scottish Ambulance Service reported receiving a call at 2:33 p.m. on Thursday and dispatched two ambulances, a special operations team, and a critical care paramedic. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said it sent two appliances to Shank Bridge at...