Girl, 16, trampled to death by horse that parents gave her for birthday

THE parents of a teenage girl who was trampled to death by a horse given to her as a birthday present have spoken of their devastation at the loss of a "beautiful daughter".

Lauren Bryant was riding her horse Solo at a stables in South Queensferry on Sunday when the alarm was raised after the animal was seen galloping without a rider.

The 16-year-old was found on the ground with terrible head injuries and paramedics were called to the scene, but Lauren died on the way to hospital.

Her mother Andrea Bryant said: "We're absolutely devastated, Lauren was a beautiful daughter. This has been a tragic accident and comes as a massive shock.

"Lauren lived for horses and had her heart set on working with them after she left school.

"Lauren had been around horses since she was eight years old and really loved them."

She said the family had agreed that Solo, which was given to Lauren as a present for her 16th birthday in May, should not be destroyed.

Mrs Bryant said: "Her uncle and aunt are going to look after Solo, which is what Lauren would have wanted. She would hate it if anyone was blaming her horse."

Lauren's father Stewart Bryant said: "We're heartbroken and our only consolation is that Lauren died doing the thing she loved most. She was a lovely girl."

Friends left tributes on a Facebook page set up in memory of the Linlithgow Academy pupil.

One message read: "In memory of a gorgeous girl who never deserved to go so soon. She will be missed greatly and a lot of tears shed over her."

Lauren's aunt Louise Tait, who looks after the horses at the Duddingston Farm stables, said: "Lauren was a star and a natural with horses. She never once moaned about having to muck out the stables or work hard.

"During the recent freeze she would battle through the heavy snow to come and help out at the stables twice a day.

"We're going to look after Solo for her, as that's what she would have wanted. Lauren would have hated the idea of him never being ridden again because of what happened."

John Tait, Lauren's uncle, said: "Lauren was a natural with horses and loved hacking and galloping. She loved horses and went to the stables every day after school.

"She got into her hobby when her grandmother bought the family a pony when she was young."

He said Lauren would be sorely missed by her family: "She was a quiet girl in her own way, but very witty and could say the funniest things.

"Most teenagers can be cheeky but she never was. She never moaned, and would do anything to help anyone."You couldn't fault her or ask for a better person."

Lauren's funeral will take place tomorrow at St Michael's Parish Church in Linlithgow.

Friends at her school are collecting money for disabled riders in her memory.

A Lothian and Borders Police spokesman said: "We responded to a field in South Queensferry after a 16-year-old girl died following a horse-riding incident.

"The girl sustained serious injuries to her head and was taken to the Queen Margaret Hospital in Dunfermline, where she later passed away.

"There are no suspicious circumstances surrounding her death, and a report will be sent to the procurator fiscal."