Pupil Keane Wallis Bennett Dies After Wall Collapses On Her In Liberton High School, Edinburgh

Student Dies After A Wall In School's PE Changing Room Collapses On Her
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A student in Edinburgh who died after a wall, thought to be in her school's PE changing room, collapsed has been locally named as Keane Wallis-Bennett.

The accident is the latest tragedy in a string of incidents at the high school, which has been accused of "serious safety failings".

The incident took place at Liberton High School in Edinburgh just before 10am on Tuesday and the 12-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene.

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A picture of Keane Wallis-Bennett posted on an RIP Facebook group

A Police Scotland spokesman said: "Police in Edinburgh responded to Liberton High School after a wall within the building collapsed, injuring a female pupil at 10am.

"She was treated by ambulance staff on the scene, but was pronounced dead."

He said: "Inquiries into the full circumstances surrounding this incident are ongoing and we are working alongside our relevant partner agencies."

The wall is thought to have been in one of the PE changing rooms, although this has yet to be confirmed.

A large emergency response, involving police and the Scottish Ambulance Service, was prompted by the incident.

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One pupil at the school, 13-year-old Devon Blyth, told the BBC she had warned a teacher some months ago that there was an unstable wall in the girl's changing room near the old gym.

She said: "There was a wall that's been wobbly for months."

She said she had told a teacher who had said that "it should be fine - and then this has happened".

A spokeswoman for Edinburgh City Council said: "A pupil at Liberton High School has sadly died following an incident at the school.

"Senior education staff and health and safety officers from the council are at the school providing support to staff and pupils."

An updated statement on behalf of the school is expected to be issued later.

Edinburgh City Council was fined £8,000 in February after a girl at the same school was seriously injured when she fell more than 16ft (5m) as teachers tried to free her from a broken-down lift.

The schoolgirl, then aged 15, suffered three fractured vertebrae, bruising over her lower back and a sprained wrist as a result.

She remained in hospital for two days before being discharged and was unable to return to school for a further two weeks, the Heath and Safety Executive (HSE) said at the time.

The HSE confirmed in February that it had investigated the incident and a prosecution was brought against the local authority for "serious safety failings".

The council was fined at Edinburgh Sheriff Court after pleading guilty to breaching Section 3 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, the HSE said.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said crews from Tollcross, McDonald Road, Liberton and Newcraighall were sent to a "collapsed structure" at the school at around 10am.

A service spokeswoman said: "Firefighters assisted ambulance personnel to remove a female casualty from a collapsed structure but sadly she was pronounced dead at the scene. Thoughts are with the family at this difficult time."

Edinburgh Southern SNP MSP Jim Eadie, whose constituency covers the school, said: "I am deeply shocked and saddened by this tragic incident, and the thoughts of the entire community are with the family and friends of this young girl.

"Inquiries into the full circumstances of what happened will be under way, and Police Scotland and City of Edinburgh Council will determine exactly what took place."

A spokeswoman for the Health and Safety Executive said: "HSE is aware and is liaising with Police Scotland."

The latest incident is the second tragedy to hit the school in recent months.

Jamie Skinner, 13 - understood to be a pupil at Liberton High School - died after collapsing on a football pitch in the city during a match in December.

The teenager was playing for Edinburgh-based Tynecastle FC against Spartans FC when he collapsed on the Saughton Astro pitch in Edinburgh at the end of last year.

Scotland's Minister for Learning, Alasdair Allan said: "I'm deeply saddened by this terrible news and my thoughts are with the pupil's family and friends.

"City of Edinburgh Council has arranged for support to be available to the school's pupils and teachers. At the same time, Police Scotland and the council will begin to investigate this tragedy.

"We remain in close contact with the council and stand ready to provide any help that may be needed."

Scottish Education Secretary Michael Russell tweeted: "Very distressed to hear of fatality at Liberton High in Edinburgh - thoughts with family and the whole school community."

The school's website describes it as a comprehensive school serving the south of Edinburgh. It has 65 staff and 650 pupils.