Teachers pay tribute to ‘sweetest’ schoolgirl, 10, who died in swimming pool tragedy as £20k raised to support family

TEACHERS of a schoolgirl who died in a swimming pool tragedy have paid tribute to the “sweetest girl”.

Jessica Rennie, 10, was rushed to hospital after getting into difficulty in the water on Monday evening.

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Police, ambulances and two special response teams were scrambled to Northfield Swimming Pool in Aberdeen at around 8pm.

Jessica was rushed to the city’s Royal Infirmary but died shortly after arrival.

A fundraiser was launched following the tragic incident, with more than £20,000 raised to give Jessica “the best send-off”.

More than 1,000 people have donated so far.

The page was set up by Yilmaz Huseyin, owner of Yilmaz Snack Bar on Hareness Road, for Jessica’s family.

He wrote: “No family should ever have to be prepared for such a loss.

“Can the city of Aberdeen and afar please come together and donate as much or little as you can and help the family of Jessica give her the best send-off we can?

“You’re all in our hearts and thoughts. Sleep tight Jessica.”

Mr Huseyin told The P&J: “I will be keeping the page open in case people want to keep donating, and the family can use the money how they please.

“It will greatly ease the pressure. They have lost their youngest child – money shouldn’t have to be one of the worries they need to face.”

Jessica’s heartbroken teachers paid tribute to the youngster on the GoFundMe page.

School employee Nicola Grimmer put: “Jessica was the sweetest girl in the world. I will miss seeing her for our ‘morning cuddle’ and lunch club with her big beautiful smile and heart of gold.

“You will be truly missed by everyone. Thoughts are with the family at this extremely difficult time.”

Teacher Alison Leslie added: “Jessica was my pupil and the sweetest girl. My heart goes out to her parents and big brother who she adored.”

We told how cops launched a probe to find out the full circumstances of the devastating incident.

Although officers say there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding the heartbreaking tragedy.

The leisure centre was shut down on Monday night and everyone inside was understood to have been cleared out after the incident.

Officers cordoned off the leisure centre and a police car was positioned at the front door on Tuesday.

One resident said: “My granddaughter was there and was asked to go home.

“My heart goes out to the family. It’s a traumatic time.”

Get Active, which also has a gym, is usually open for sessions at about 6am but visitors were being turned away on Tuesday morning.

Bosses confirmed the centre is still closed while the investigation is ongoing.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 8pm on Monday, 12 February, 2024, we were made aware a young female had got into difficulty in a swimming pool in Aberdeen.

“Emergency services attended, and a 10-year-old girl was taken to hospital where she later died.

“Enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances surrounding her death, which is not being treated as suspicious.”

A spokesperson for Sport Aberdeen said: “Sport Aberdeen is working closely with the relevant authorities following an incident at Northfield Swimming Pool on the evening of Monday, February 12, 2024.

“Enquiries are ongoing and the venue remains closed until further notice.”