Prayers for wall death schoolgirl

The Church of Scotland has expressed its sadness over the death of a 12-year-old girl after a wall at her school collapsed on her.

The girl has been named locally as Keane Wallis-Bennett.  She died in the accident just before 10:00 BST at Liberton High School, Edinburgh, on Tuesday.

The school was closed following the incident and council officials have stated that it will not re-open until after the Easter holidays.

Urgent structural checks are being carried out in schools across the Scottish capital as the Health and Safety Executive launched a joint inquiry together with police and council officials into the incident.

Pupils at the school had reportedly raised concerns about the condition of the wall, located in the PE department changing rooms, with one girl telling the Guardian that "it was loose and it wobbled a bit". 

A decision was to be made on Wednesday as to whether the school should be investigated for safety failings.

The Church of Scotland said members of the chaplaincy team at Liberton High School, as well as local ministers and youth workers, have been on hand to support pupils and members of staff. 

The Associate Minister at Liberton Kirk, Reverend Dave Rankin, is one of the chaplains at Liberton High School.

Reverend Rankin said: "Members of the chaplaincy team at Liberton High School went to the school as soon as we became aware of this terrible accident.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of the girl who has died. Ministers and youth workers from a number of local churches were on hand to support both pupils and members of staff as they heard what had happened.

"The chaplaincy team will offer ongoing support and comfort to the school and the local community as the full impact of this tragedy is felt in the coming days and weeks."

The Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, the Right Reverend Lorna Hood took to Twitter to express her sympathy: "Sadness as we hear of the death of pupil at Liberton High School. Our prayers & heartfelt compassion go out to her family & school community."

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