Tragic Bridge Death Girl's Local Connections

Sandy Kilpatrick • Published 7 Oct 2009 14:36 0 Comments

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Tragic teen Georgie Rowe who leapt to her death from the Erskine Bridge has family connections in Cumnock and Doon Valley.

Fourteen year-old Georgia was born in Hull but reports state she grew up in Ayrshire and attended Sorn primary. Georgia's father, Thomas lives in Mauchline with his partner, and Georgia also has relatives in Muirkirk.

Georgia and friend Neve Lafferty,15, from Helensburgh spent Sunday with their families before returning to their residential school, The Good Shephard, in Renfrewshire.

By 9pm on Sunday October 4, the girls had slipped out, unnoticed, and made their way six miles to the bridge before plunging into the freezing depths of the River Clyde in a suicide pact.

Their fateful friendship began two months ago when Georgia was moved from the centre's 18-bed secure unit to join Neve as two of the nine live-in residents at its open unit. Staff at the centre last saw the girls in their pyjamas heading into their rooms to watch television.

The girls were not kept under lock and key but any outings required authorisation.

Georgia's page on social networking site Bebo was filled with comments following the tragedy. One of her friends wrote: " I can't believe I am actually having to write this. I'll never forget your wee cheeky smile and such a beautiful wee face."

Yesterday, First Minister Alex Salmond promised an inquiry into the tragedy.

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