Tribute paid to Loch Gairloch canoe tragedy girl Grace Mackay
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The family of a five-year-old girl who died following a canoeing accident which also claimed the lives of two young brothers have paid tribute to their “beautiful angel”.
Grace Mackay lost her fight for life yesterday after Sunday's incident in the Highlands.
The primary two pupil from Muir of Ord, near Inverness, was one of six people in the boat that overturned in Loch Gairloch by Ullapool.
Ewen Beaton, 32, is missing, presumed drowned. His sons Jamie, two, and five-year-old Ewen, died after being airlifted to hospital.
Grace's father and her eight-year-old sister Callie managed to swim 550 yards to the shore and raise the alarm.
"Grace was a funny, caring, thoughtful daughter and granddaughter, full of life who loved animals and being outdoors," her family said in a statement.
"She adored her family and was our beautiful angel. We are devastated by the loss of our best friend."
The youngster's headteacher also paid tribute to the Tarradale primary pupil.
Tracy Sinclair said Grace was a "happy, thoughtful little girl who was popular and well-liked by everybody".
She said: "This has come as a shock to the whole school community and we are all deeply saddened."
Stornoway coastguard was alerted to the incident at about 4.15pm on Sunday after Callie and Grace's father, named locally as Garry, made it to the shoreline.
A coastguard team, together with two police dogs and their handlers, have been searching a stretch of shoreline for the body of Mr Beaton after large-scale water and air searches were stepped down last night.
PA
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments