A one-year-old girl has been killed after being hit by a Land Rover in a church car park in Balmedie, north of Aberdeen.
Police Scotland launched an investigation into the incident, which happened at 7.45pm on Wednesday in the grounds of Balmedie Congregational church, a Plymouth Brethren church.
The girl, named by her parents as Ivy Mae, was taken by ambulance to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary but pronounced dead shortly after arrival. The 40-year-old driver of the car was unhurt.
A church spokesperson released a statement on behalf of the child’s parents, named only as Holly and Glenn. It said: “We can confirm that our beautiful daughter Ivy Mae passed away following a tragic accident last evening after our regular church gathering in Balmedie, Aberdeenshire.
“We are absolutely devastated and ask that our privacy is respected at this challenging time. We value all the prayers and messages of sympathy and support we have received from the local community. The emergency services’ tireless work and support is greatly appreciated.”
Insp Scott Deans, from the force’s roads policing division, said: “At this time, our thoughts are with the family of the deceased, along with everyone else affected by this tragic incident.
“Our investigation into the circumstances remains ongoing and we’d like to thank the wider Balmedie community for their patience and understanding as officers carry out their inquiries in the area.”
The Press & Journal reported that several police cars and ambulances were called to the church on Wednesday evening, with officers standing guard at the car park.
Residents gathered outside the gates of the church in the small village on the North Sea coast, just south of Donald Trump’s Aberdeenshire golf resort.
