A 12-YEAR-old girl has died after being pulled from a river in Scotland during a three-hour search operation.
Emergency services were scrambled to the River Leven in West Dunbartonshire on Sunday evening after a young girl was reported missing in the water.
Officers confirmed the girl was later recovered from the water and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police Scotland said in a statement: “Around 6.45pm on Sunday, 9 August, police were called to a report of a 12 year-old girl in difficulty in the River Leven, near Balloch Bridge.
“Emergency services attended and searches were carried out.
"Around 9.45pm, the young girl was recovered from the water. Sadly she was pronounced dead at the scene.
“Her relatives have been informed."
Cops confirmed enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances of the girl's death, which is not being treated as suspicious.
Helicopters were spotted flying over the River Leven on Sunday as emergency crews frantically tried to trace the missing girl.
Initial reports claimed she was just eight years old, although this was later corrected.
The coastguard, ambulance and fire crews were all present for the desperate search.
A spokesperson for the Coastguard said: "At 7.09pm this evening we were asked (by the police) to send the HM Coastguard search and rescue helicopter from Prestwick to assist Police Scotland at a search at Balloch, Loch Lomond."
A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: “We were alerted at 6.46pm on Sunday, August 9 to reports of a person in the water in Balloch.
“Operations Control mobilised two appliances and two water rescue units to the scene at Balloch Bridge.
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“Firefighters currently remain on the scene working to assist their emergency service partners.”
West Dunbartonshire Police confirmed roads were off in the area as the search took place.
The force tweeted: "Motorists are advised that Balloch Road is currently closed between the A82 roundabout and Carrochan Road, Balloch due to an ongoing police incident at the River Leven. Please use an alternative route."
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