Girl, 8, dies after suddenly falling ill, just 1 day before her birthday

A community in Scotland is mourning the loss of an 8-year-old girl after she “unexpectedly” fell ill during a bus journey and died – just a day before her birthday.

According to Daily record and that Daily Mailthe girl – identified as Olivia Grace Edwards – was boarding a bus in Aberdeen, the country’s third largest city, at 20:40 local time on Saturday, October 25, when she suddenly fell ill.

Emergency services were sent to the car park where she boarded the bus and Olivia was taken to Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital, where she sadly died “a short time later”, a Scotland spokesperson told police. Daily Mail.

According to the spokesperson, the 8-year-old’s death “is being treated as unexplained, but there are no apparent suspicious circumstances.”

Friends of the girl’s parents have launched a GoFundMe to help with funeral costs.

“My amazing best friends have lost their beautiful baby girl unexpectedly just a day before her 9th birthday,” the fundraising page reads.

“Her parents, sisters, family and friends are all heartbroken,” the page continues. “Olivia was a beautiful, funny, sweet, amazing little girl and will be missed so much by all who knew her.”

Friends have asked for donations to “help take some of the stress” off Olivia’s parents and to “help give this beautiful girl the best send off”.

The fundraiser has since raised more than £10,000 (about $13,300) of its £16,000 ($21,300) goal.

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The local community flooded GoFundMe with messages of support for the 8-year-old’s family.

“I don’t know your family personally, but I am so desperately sorry for your loss, and I am sending your family much love and strength,” one person wrote.

“Deeply saddened by the heartbreaking loss of beautiful Olivia,” another tribute said, per the Daily Mail. “My sincere condolences to her family and friends at this incredibly difficult time.”

“Hearing this sad news is just heartbreaking,” added yet another, according to the news agency. “My thoughts are with you all.”