A 13-YEAR-OLD schoolgirl has died suddenly after being found collapsed in an alleyway around the corner from her home.
Sarah Weston, a pupil at Sherburn High School, Sherburn in Elmet, is believed to have been with a group of friends before collapsing in the alleyway off Eversley Court – less than a mile from her house.
Police officers found her and an ambulance t
ook her to Pontefract District Hospital where she later died.
The cause of death is not yet known and while police are waiting for toxicology tests, they are not treating it as suspicious.
Sherburn High School headteacher Martyn Sibley said: “Sarah was a bright, super girl and this is just a terrible shock. his is a terrible tragedy and our deepest sympathies are with Sarah’s family.”
Mr Sibley said Year 9 and Year 10 pupils at the 820-student school were spoken to about Sarah’s death and offered counselling and support through the school’s counselling service.
Online tributes have been posted, with one reading “Sarah will be missed by her many, many friends.”
Sarah’s body was found in the early evening last Saturday January 30.
A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Police said: “Police were notified last Saturday of the sudden death of a 13-year-old girl from the Sherburn in Elmet area.
“It is believed that the girl was found collapsed in an alleyway and was taken to Pontefract District Hospital where she later died. There are no suspicious circumstances surrounding her death.
“Enquiries are currently ongoing on behalf of the coroner.”
Coroner Rob Turnbull opened and adjourned an inquest on Monday.
