A nine-year-old girl has died after a family camping trip on an industrial estate in Arbroath turned to tragedy. Three others were injured, and a man has been arrested.
Emergency services were called to Elliot Industrial Estate shortly before midnight on Sunday into Monday, August 3, 2026. Crews arrived around 12:02am and found the child critically hurt. She was rushed to Ninewells Hospital in Dundee, where she later died.
Investigation and arrest
Her death is being treated as suspicious. Police Scotland have arrested a 35-year-old white British man known to the girl. Officers confirmed they are not seeking anyone else in connection with the incident.
The rest of the family, from West Yorkshire, who had pitched a tent on the industrial estate, are being supported by specialist officers.
Witness accounts
Locals reported seeing the family arrive and set up a basic two-man pop-up tent next to their blue electric Peugeot around 6pm on Sunday. The car's windscreen was covered with foil on the inside. Witnesses said the adults appeared to be cooking on a camping stove.
One resident described the choice of location as odd, noting that a proper beach was only a couple of minutes away. The industrial estate, near the Halliburton manufacturing site, is far from a typical camping spot.
Emergency response
Four ambulance response vehicles attended the scene after the alarm was raised at 11:53pm. The girl's father was later taken to hospital separately before being discharged into police custody.
Detective Inspector Mike Ness of the Major Investigation Team said: "Our thoughts remain with those affected by these events. Members of the public will see an increased police presence and activity in the area as enquiries continue. This is intended to reassure the public and anyone who may have information should approach these officers or contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 0008 of Monday, 3 August 2026."
Aftermath
Floral tributes have already been left at the site after police left the area on Tuesday afternoon. The conditions of the three other injured people remain unknown.
