“OUR DARLING DAUGHTER”: FAMILY’S HEARTBREAKING TRIBUTE AFTER SOPHIA AITKEN, 12, DIES IN BUS COLLISION

The 12-year-old was remembered as a “ray of sunshine” who brought happiness to everyone around her. Her family are now facing an unimaginable loss as the local community comes together to remember the young schoolgirl.

A family in North Ayrshire is grieving the loss of their beloved daughter after 12-year-old Sophia Aitken died following a collision involving a bus in Kilwinning, Scotland.

Sophia was involved in the incident on Lauchlan Way at approximately 1:10 p.m. on Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Emergency services were called after a bus collided with the young pedestrian.

Despite the efforts of emergency responders, Sophia was pronounced dead at the scene. Police Scotland confirmed that no other injuries were reported.

In a heartbreaking statement released through Police Scotland, Sophia’s family shared their grief and paid tribute to the little girl they loved so dearly.

“We are devastated at the loss of our darling daughter Sophia. She was a ray of sunshine, and was loved by everyone who knew her.”

Their tribute continued with words that captured the depth of their heartbreak:

“A light has gone out, and it will never return.”

The family also thanked members of the community for the messages of comfort and support they had received.

As they begin to face life without Sophia, they have asked for privacy to grieve during this deeply difficult time.

A bright smile that touched her school community

Sophia was a pupil at Kilwinning Academy, where news of her passing left classmates, teachers and staff devastated.

In a statement shared following the tragedy, the school community remembered her as a “popular and well-liked” pupil who was known for her bright smile.

North Ayrshire Council also paid tribute to the young girl, describing her as someone with a “bright smile, vibrant personality and helpful nature”.

The council expressed its sincere condolences to Sophia’s family and loved ones, acknowledging the profound impact her loss had on the wider school community.

Support and guidance would be made available to pupils and staff who needed help in the coming days, weeks and months.

For those who shared classrooms, conversations and everyday school moments with Sophia, the news has left a painful absence.

She was only 12 years old, with so much of life still ahead of her. The memories she created with friends and the people around her will now be treasured by those who knew her.

What happened on Lauchlan Way?

Police Scotland said officers received a report of a collision involving a 12-year-old female pedestrian and a bus at around 1:10 p.m. on November 3.

The incident happened on Lauchlan Way in Kilwinning, North Ayrshire.

Emergency services attended, but Sophia was pronounced dead at the scene. Police confirmed that there were no reports of any other injuries.

The road was closed while officers carried out investigations and examined the circumstances surrounding the collision. It later reopened after the police response at the scene had concluded.

Sergeant Stewart Taylor said:

“Our thoughts first and foremost are with Sophia’s family and friends, and everyone affected by this crash.”

He acknowledged that many people had been in the area at the time and thanked witnesses who had come forward, as well as those who assisted at the scene.

The investigation remains ongoing as officers work to establish exactly what happened.

Stagecoach offers support as enquiries continue

Stagecoach confirmed that one of its South Scotland buses was involved in the collision.

Fiona Doherty, regional director for Stagecoach Scotland, expressed the company’s condolences, saying its immediate thoughts were with Sophia’s family and everyone affected by the incident.

The company also confirmed that it was supporting colleagues directly involved and continuing to provide assistance to Police Scotland as the investigation progresses.

No further conclusions about the circumstances of the collision have been announced.

Police appeal for witnesses and dashcam footage

Police Scotland is continuing to appeal for information that could help establish the full circumstances of the incident.

Officers are particularly keen to hear from anyone who was in the area at the time and may have witnessed what happened.

Anyone with relevant dashcam footage or information that has not already been provided to police is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 1484 of November 3, 2026.

“A light has gone out” — a family’s loss that words cannot express

In the aftermath of the collision, flowers and tributes were left near the scene as people in the local community sought to show their support.

Yet behind every tribute is a family facing a reality they never imagined: returning home without their daughter and learning to live with a loss that cannot be put into words.

Sophia’s family will remember her as their darling daughter, a ray of sunshine who was loved by everyone who knew her.

Her school community will remember her bright smile, vibrant personality and helpful nature.

And for the friends who shared ordinary childhood moments with her, those memories will carry a meaning they could never have anticipated.

At just 12 years old, Sophia had so much life ahead of her. Her loss has left a family heartbroken and a community mourning a young girl who made a lasting impression on those around her.

Rest in peace, Sophia Aitken. You will be remembered and deeply missed.