First Minister Humza Yousaf has sent his condolences to the family of a 14-year-old boy who died following a “playground incident” at a West Lothian school.
Emergency services were called to St Kentigern’s Academy in Blackburn on Tuesday afternoon.
The teenager, named locally as Hamdan Aslam, was taken by ambulance to hospital for treatment but died a short time later.
Fiona Hyslop, the local MSP, raised the incident during First Minister’s Questions at Holyrood on Thursday.
She said the boy’s family are facing an “unimaginable heartache”, as she stressed the importance of not speculating on the cause of the death and protecting their privacy.
Ms Hyslop also urged the first minister to ensure any lessons learned from the boy’s death are implemented.
Responding, Mr Yousaf said: “This is the worst tragedy. Anybody who is a parent will know there cannot be a worse fear, a worse nightmare, that any parent has than losing a child, so I cannot think what the family are going through.”
South Uist islanders ‘being driven to despair and should be compensated’ for ferry cancellation, first minister told
Scotland’s transport minister Kevin Stewart quits due to poor mental health
Deposit return scheme: Scotland’s controversial recycling initiative delayed until at least October 2025
Be the first to get Breaking News
Install the Sky News app for free
The community in West Lothian, has been “deeply, deeply affected” by the death, the first minister said.
He added: “I would echo Fiona Hyslop’s calls, both in terms of not speculating on what has happened – there will be an appropriate investigation and, of course, absolutely, lessons should be learned not just by the local authority and educational institutions but of course there may well be lessons for government to consider as well.
“Fiona Hyslop’s second call is so, so important. As well as going through what is every parent’s worst nightmare, the family should be able to grieve in privacy and not have any further media intrusion or indeed speculation into what is the most unimaginable tragedy.”
On Thursday morning, Police Scotland said the investigation into the incident remains “ongoing”.
Police sources previously said the death occurred following a “playground incident” between two pupils.
The incident is not believed to be part of an “online challenge” amid social media speculation within the community that it was a so-called “tap out” game.
Sky News understands there is “no criminality” involved, however the force has refused to comment as the probe continues.
