9:21am Tuesday 2nd February 2010
A GIRL of 13 has died in hospital after collapsing in an alley near her home.
Sarah Weston, a pupil of Sherburn High School, has been described as a “bright, super girl” following her death, which police say they are not treating as suspicious.
A spokesman for North Yorkshire Police said officers were called to the alleyway early on Saturday evening.
He said: “It is believed that the girl was found collapsed in an alleyway in Sherburn-in-Elmet and was taken to Pontefract District Hospital where she later died.
“There are no suspicious circumstances surrounding her death. Enquiries are ongoing on behalf of the coroner.”
The cause of death is not known and police are now waiting for the results of toxicology tests.
She had been with a group of friends before collapsing in an alleyway off Eversley Court and was taken to hospital by ambulance.
There was no one at her home in Highfield Villas, Sherburn-in-Elmet, yesterday and the curtains were drawn.
Sarah’s death has prompted tributes from her school, while friends have set up a page in her memory on the social networking website Facebook.
Martyn Sibley, head teacher of Sherburn High, said: “This is a terrible tragedy and our deepest sympathies are with Sarah’s family at this very sad time.
“Sarah was a bright, super girl and this is just a terrible shock.”
The school said it had spoken to students in Years 9 and 10 about their classmate’s death and offered them counselling and support through the school’s on-site counselling service.
Another tribute, one of more than 230 left so far on the Facebook tribute page said Sarah would be “sadly missed”.
Another post said: “I didn’t know Sarah, but my son knew her brother from Brayton College, and as a parent I can’t imagine how her parents and family must be feeling right now.
“Hugs to you all.”
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