Mother takes fatal leap after baby's death

Hazel Fitzsimons discovered the lifeless body of the five-month-old girl and jumped from their high-rise flat in Glasgow's Prospecthill Crescent after calling in paramedics. She handed her baby to them before taking her own life, it was reported last night.

The 28-year-old's death came a year after her brother Anton survived a jump from the same flat. One resident, who asked not to be named, said: "There is no suggestion that she harmed the baby in any way.

"It must have been a terrible accident. There are lots of family dotted about in the area and they will be pulling together at this very difficult time."

Strathclyde Police said a report would be submitted to the procurator fiscal.

A spokesperson said: "At 7:50am on Saturday, 1 January, police were called to a report that a five-month-old baby and a 28-year-old woman had died in Prospecthill Crescent.

"We are treating it as a tragic incident. There seems to be nothing suspicious about the deaths.

"The child's body was found within the home and the body of the woman was discovered on the street outside.

"The family have now been informed.

"Post-mortem examinations will be carried out in due course."

Last night relatives of the mother and child were too upset to speak about the tragedy.

A spate of of tragic incidents across Scotland were reported during the New Year festivities.

A 33-year-old man was murdered in Irvine, Ayrshire, on New Year's Day. Grant Muirhead suffered fatal injuries during a disturbance in the town. A 27-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the death.

Elsewhere, a 15-year-old boy was stabbed after getting caught up in a brawl at a party in Glasgow's Carmyle area. A 31-year-old man was also injured in the incident.

Three young men were also stabbed when a group of men attacked them as they left a funfair at Glasgow's SECC.

Police have appealed for witnesses to the SECC attack, which left the three victims requiring hospital treatment.