Double death tragedy for girlfriend of fall student

The girlfriend of a tragic Edinburgh student who plunged to his death from a second-floor window has spoken of her heartbreak after a close friend died in a similar accident just weeks earlier.
Paige Watson with her boyfriend Ben McLeanPaige Watson with her boyfriend Ben McLean
Paige Watson with her boyfriend Ben McLean

Ben McLean’s body was found on Friday morning in the rear garden of an address in West Preston Street, Newington, after the 19-year-old fell from a window during a party.

Now his girlfriend of 16 months, Paige Watson, has revealed her friend Kyle Doherty – a promising footballer – died earlier this month after falling down a utility shaft during Hogmanay celebrations.

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Dance music fan Kyle’s body was discovered in Manchester on New Year’s Day, 12 hours after he went missing from the city’s Suede nightclub.

And the 19-year-old, who played for Stenhousemuir’s under-20s team, was laid to rest on Thursday, just hours before Ben suffered a similar fate.

Anguished Paige tweeted: “Why has this happened? Life is so evil. How are we meant to cope when all the best people are getting taken from us?”

The 19-year-old, from Paisley, added: “My heart actually hurts and it’s the most bizarre yet painful thing I’ve ever experienced in my life. This just isn’t fair. Why Ben?

“Wakening up to realise all this has actually happened is just repeatedly shattering my heart. Being in love with your best friend is the greatest feeling in the world. I’ll never forget you, rest in peace, Benji.”

Heartfelt tributes to popular Ben have been flooding in since his body was discovered at 9am on Friday, with friends calling him a “true gent”.

The second-year Edinburgh University medical student’s death is currently being treated as unexplained by police.

Ben, from Barrhead, in East Renfrewshire, is survived by parents Kevin and Tracey and sisters Megan, 16, and Olivia, 11.

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Megan wrote on Twitter: “My best friend, I love you Ben and I refuse to accept that this is happening, you deserved so much more out of life.”

Alexander Baskhanov, 19, appeared in private at Edinburgh Sheriff Court yesterday on three drugs supply charges following the discovery of Ben’s body. He made no plea or declaration and the case was continued for further examination.

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