FAMILY BREAKS SILENCE — HEARTBREAKING FIRST WORDS ABOUT SOPHIA AITKEN, 12, AFTER SCHOOLGIRL’S FATAL BUS 𝔠r𝘢sh IN AYRSHIRE

“A ray of sunshine.” Those were the heartbreaking words chosen by the family of 12-year-old Sophia Aitken as they paid tribute to their beloved daughter following the devastating 𝔠r𝘢sh that claimed her life in Kilwinning, Scotland.

The family of a 12-year-old schoolgirl who died after being struck by a double-decker bus have spoken publicly for the first time, describing their daughter as a much-loved girl whose presence brought happiness to everyone around her.

Sophia Aitken, from Kilwinning in North Ayrshire, died following a collision involving a bus on Lauchlan Way on Tuesday, November 3, 2026.

In a statement released through Police Scotland, her family expressed their overwhelming grief and shared a touching tribute to the young girl.

They said:

“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.

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

“We are comforted by the messages from the community. We would like to ask for privacy to grieve at this difficult time.”

Their words have touched people across the local community, offering a glimpse of the little girl behind the heartbreaking headlines.

For those who loved Sophia, she was not simply a name in a police report. She was a daughter, a friend, a classmate and a young girl whose life meant so much to the people around her.

THE TRAGIC COLLISION THAT SHOOK KILWINNING

Emergency services were called to Lauchlan Way at approximately 1:10 p.m. on Tuesday, November 3, following reports of a collision involving a 12-year-old female pedestrian and a bus.

Despite the response of emergency crews, Sophia was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police confirmed that no other injuries were reported in the incident.

The Scottish Ambulance Service dispatched two ambulances, two Special Operations Response Teams and a ᑕriᩚtiᩚcal care team after receiving the emergency call.

The road was closed while police officers carried out their investigation, with the closure lasting several hours before it was reopened.

The bus involved was identified in subsequent reports as a Stagecoach double-decker.

Police Scotland has not yet established or publicly confirmed the full circumstances surrounding the collision.

HER SCHOOL REMEMBERS A GIRL WITH A BRIGHT SMILE

Sophia’s dєatᩚh has also devastated the school community at Kilwinning Academy, where she was a pupil.

In a statement, the school described her as a “popular and well-liked” member of the school community who was known for her bright smile.

A spokesperson for North Ayrshire Council also paid tribute to the young girl, remembering her vibrant personality and helpful nature.

The council said:

“Known for her bright smile, vibrant personality and helpful nature, she was a popular and well-liked member of our school community.”

The spokesperson added that the wider school community was devastated by her loss.

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

For Sophia’s classmates and teachers, the sudden loss of someone so young has left a painful absence in a place where she had been part of everyday school life.

STAGECOACH RESPONDS TO THE tᩚraɢedy

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

Fiona Doherty, Regional Director for Stagecoach Scotland, expressed the company’s condolences to Sophia’s family and everyone affected.

She said:

“Our immediate thoughts are with the family of the girl who lost her life and all those affected by yesterday’s tragic accident in Kilwinning.”

The company also confirmed that it was supporting the colleagues directly involved in the incident and cooperating fully with Police Scotland’s investigation.

POLICE APPEAL FOR WITNESSES AND DASHCAM FOOTAGE

Police Scotland has confirmed that enquiries into the fatal collision remain ongoing.

Sergeant Stewart Taylor said officers’ thoughts were first and foremost with Sophia’s family, friends and everyone affected by the tᩚraɢedy.

He acknowledged that many people were in the area when the collision happened and thanked witnesses who had already come forward, as well as those who assisted at the scene.

Police are now appealing to anyone who witnessed the incident or may have relevant dashcam footage that has not yet been provided to investigators to contact them.

Anyone with information is asked to call Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 1484 of Tuesday, November 3, 2026.

Officers have not released further details about the circumstances of the collision while the investigation continues.

A COMMUNITY UNITED IN GRIEF

In the days following Sophia’s dєatᩚh, flowers and tributes were left near the scene on Lauchlan Way.

Residents expressed their shock and sadness, while local representatives sent condolences to the family.

The tᩚraɢedy has affected not only those who knew Sophia personally but also people across Kilwinning, where the loss of such a young life has been deeply felt.

Her family’s request for privacy has also been acknowledged as they face the unimaginable task of grieving their daughter.

Sophia was just 12 years old. Her family will remember her as their darling daughter and a ray of sunshine — a girl loved by everyone who knew her.

And as police continue working to establish exactly what happened that afternoon, the thoughts of the community remain with the family who have lost someone they can never replace.

A bright smile, a much-loved daughter and a young life cut tragically short. Sophia Aitken will be remembered by those whose lives she touched.