Parents pay tribute to baby who died in Aberdeenshire church car park

The one-year-old baby girl who died after being hit by a Land Rover in an Aberdeenshire church car park has been named.

Ivy Mae Ross tragically died in the tragedy on Wednesday night at Plymouth Brethren Church in Balmedie. It is believed the family are members of the church.

The girl was taken to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary but died shortly after. The 40-year-old driver was uninjured.

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Images show police placing a large cordon around the scene last night after the incident, writes the Daily Record.

A spokesperson for the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church released a statement on behalf of the child's parents, Holly and Glenn.

It said: "We can confirm that our beautiful daughter Ivy Mae passed away following a tragic accident last evening after our regular church gathering in Balmedie, Aberdeenshire.

"We are absolutely devasted and ask that our privacy is respected at this challenging time. We value all the prayers and messages of sympathy and support we have received from the local community. The emergency services tireless work and support is greatly appreciated."

The Plymouth Brethren is an evangelical Christian church which teaches a very strict interpretation of the Bible. The church has around 50,000 members across Europe, the US and Australia.

Members follow a strict code of practice and the church says it is very family-centred, with families 'living, working and praying' together.

One man, who lives on the nearby Chapelwell Estate told the Record: "It is heartbreaking that this would happen to a little girl.

"Everyone is thinking of her family. I saw a lot of ambulances and police cars at the church last night. It is terrible to find out what happened to this baby."

The local, who said families travel from Aberdeen city to attend the church, added: "Nobody around here is a member. The churchgoers keep to themselves.

"On Wednesday nights a big convoy of plush cars arrive for service there. I think most of them are from Aberdeen and travel over."

Another resident said: "I'm just devastated. This sort of thing never happens around here, it is such a quiet and peaceful place.

"I can't stop thinking about the parents of that poor little girl and I hope they can find some peace."

A third resident said: "This is a small community. Everyone is so sad to hear what has happened. May the little angel rest in peace."

Local councillor Andrew Hassan said: "My immediate thoughts are with the family of the youngster who died, it certainly can't be easy for them especially happening in a public area and so suddenly.

"My second thoughts are with the wider community. We don't have fatal accidents in Belhelvie Parish that often and I am thinking of everyone who is touched and saddened by the news this morning.

"I know I was and I'm sure everyone else in the community is too."

Inspector Scott Deans, from Roads Policing, said: “At this time, our thoughts are with the family of the deceased, along with everyone else affected by this tragic incident.

“Our investigation into the circumstances remain ongoing and we’d like to thank the wider Balmedie community for their patience and understanding as officers carry out their enquiries in the area.

“Anyone with information should contact police on 101, quoting incident 3390 of 15 May, 2024.”