TRIBUTES have been paid after the “tragic loss” of a teenager who died of pneumonia after suffering from flu.
Bethany Walker was airlifted to Raigmore Hospital in Inverness from her home in Applecross in Wester Ross but she died last Friday.
The 18-year-old was taking a gap year between leaving Plockton High School and studying midwifery in Aberdeen. She had been working at the Applecross Inn, which said on its Facebook page: “Farewell to dear Bethany another fantastic member of our team who we sadly lost last Friday after a short illness, you were the ‘belle of the ball’ at Hogmanay ... and indeed everywhere.
“Such a tragic loss of someone so perfect in every way, so polite, such beauty, humour, fun, music and studies. You were pure loved by every member of our team, so much devotion and dedication to all you did.”
Bethany’s former school said: “It was a privilege for all of us to have taught Bethany, to have known her in her years in the school and to have maintained contact with her after she left. It is tragic to lose someone so young and the thoughts of the whole school and the hostel are with Bethany’s family at this sad time.”
Scotland’s flu rate for the first week of 2018 was four times higher than the same week last year, with 107 Scots in every 100,000 of the population diagnosed with the virus in the week ending January 7.
There have been 48 flu-related deaths in England so far this winter.
The main strains circulating continue to be flu A(H3N2), known as Aussie flu, A(H1N1), known as swine flu, and Flu B.
More than 60 A&E departments in England and Wales have written to Theresa May warning that the “current level of safety compromise is at times intolerable”.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here