Teenager dies while out walking dog

Oct 16 2007 By Tony Collins, Birmingham Mail

A BIRMINGHAM schoolgirl described as a "little treasure" by her headteacher has died suddenly while out walking her dog.

Emily Harrison, a 16-year-old student at The Arthur Terry School, in Sutton Coldfield, collapsed while chasing after her young spaniel in a park near her home.

She died in the arms of her distraught mother, Jo, before ambulance staff could reach her.

Her death has stunned pupils and staff at the school where headteacher Christopher Stone today described her as a "lovely, lovely girl".

Year 12 pupil Emily, who had recently returned from a school expedition to South Africa, is not believed to have suffered from any medical condition.

Mr Stone said today that Emily had been exercising her dogs when her younger Spaniel ran off.

"She chased after it but suddenly collapsed and died in her mother's arms.

"She was a lovely, lovely girl with no history of medical problems.

"She was an only daughter and the only grand-daughter alongside eight grandsons.

"She was a little treasure, and this is devastating to the whole family."

Emily's father, Tony, who is headteacher of a school in a neighbouring local authority, visited The Arthur Terry School with his wife, yesterday to look at floral tributes which other sixth form students had brought in to school.

Mr Stone added: "The school is in a state of shock.

"All 369 students in the sixth form came to school dressed in black as a tribute to Emily. We have had bereavement counsellors on hand to help, but the children have been remarkable.

"She was such a nice, quiet girl, who had brilliant exam results, and I just can't believe what was happened."

Mr Stone has issued a heartfelt letter to all students at the school explaining the circumstances of Emily's death.

He said Emily was a "popular, caring young woman", and all their thoughts were with her family, including her two older brothers, plus friends and school staff close to her.

He said she was also a "very successful student" who had made a good start to her sixth form studies, and had also made a real impact with the younger students.

An inquest is expected to be opened and adjourned.