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Ukrainian refugee girl, 14, dies after being found unconscious on a Devon beach as police probe ‘unexplained’ death and ask locals with CCTV or doorbell footage to come forward
- Teenager was airlifted to the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital where she died
A 14-year-old Ukrainian girl has died after being found unconscious on a beach in south Devon.
Police were called to reports that the teenager – who came to the UK with her mother as a refugee from the war with Russia – had gone missing from the seaside town of Dawlish on Saturday evening.
Searches by a police helicopter and coastguard tracked down the teenager to a beach in the town and she was airlifted to the Royal Devon and Exeter hospital, where she later died.
Formal identification has taken place and next of kin have been informed, Devon and Cornwall Police said.
Her death is currently being treated as unexplained, with officers appealing for anyone with CCTV or doorbell camera footage to come forward.
Dawlish, where the teen was found on Saturday evening, is pictured today
Mayor of Dawlish, Councillor Lisa Mayne said: ‘Our thoughts and profound condolences go out to the family, friends, and wider Ukrainian community in Dawlish at this heart-breaking time.’
Detective Inspector Becky Davies said: ‘We were called on the evening of Saturday 4 March with reports of a 14-year-old girl missing from the Dawlish area.
‘Localised searches took place with support from the police helicopter and coastguard and an unconscious person was found on Dawlish Beach.
‘She was subsequently airlifted to the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital where she later sadly died.’
DI Davies added: ‘The deceased girl was a Ukrainian national who was living in the Dawlish area; contact has been made with the Ukrainian Embassy and The Home Office are also aware of this incident.
‘This death is currently being treated as unexplained and enquiries continue as to the circumstances surrounding this death.
‘Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the teenage girl at this tragic time.’
Police said ‘an unconscious person was found on Dawlish Beach’ – pictured is Dawlish on Monday
Locals have also been paying their respects on social media. One wrote: ‘This is just heartbreaking for family and friends. RIP angel.’
Another added: ‘As if they haven’t suffered enough, terrible news. So sad.’
A post-mortem is due to take place on Thursday.
Anyone with any information or who may have CCTV / doorbell footage that can assist officers with the investigation is asked to contact 101@dc.police.uk quoting case reference 50230052081.
MailOnline has contacted the Home Office and the Ukrainian Embassy for comment.
Police were called to reports of the teenage girl missing from the Dawlish area on Saturday evening (image taken on Monday)
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