Devastated family pay tribute to ‘gorgeous’ toddler killed in Land Rover crash outside church

Tragedy took place in the car park of Plymouth Brethren church in Balmedie, Aberdeenshire

A child was killed in the car park of the Jesmond Gospel Hall Trust (Google Maps)

The devastated family of a “beautiful” baby girl killed in a horror crash with a Land Rover in a church car park have paid tribute.

Ivy Mae Ross, 1, was struck in the car park of Plymouth Brethren church in Balmedie, Aberdeenshire, at around 7.45pm on Wednesday.

In a statement issued by Police Scotland, her parents’ Holly and Glenn said they were “absolutely devastated” by the tragic accident but thanked the local community for its support.

“Our beautiful daughter Ivy Mae passed away following a tragic accident after our regular church gathering in Balmedie,” they said. “We are absolutely devastated and ask that our privacy is respected at this challenging time. We value all the prayers and messages of sympathy and support we have received from the local community.”

Speaking to the Independent, Ivy Mae’s great-uncle Iain McKenzie, 53, added: “She is a beautiful girl. They are a lovely family and good parents. They come from Aberdeen, and as a family we would visit at least once a month.

“It’s terrible. She is my family. I’m too shattered and shocked to even shed tears. None of us can bring this darling child back.”

Mr McKenzie said the church would have been busy on Wednesday night as around 300 worshippers from Aberdeen and Peterhead convene for a regular midweek reading meeting.

Fighting back tears, he added: “My heart goes out to her parents and grandparents. I hope they find comfort together as a family at this awful time. I am thinking of them through their huge loss.”

Her family released a statement through Police Scotland: “Our beautiful daughter Ivy Mae passed away following a tragic accident after our regular church gathering in Balmedie. We are absolutely devastated and ask that our privacy is respected at this challenging time.

“We value all the prayers and messages of sympathy and support we have received from the local community.

“The emergency services tireless work and support is greatly appreciated.”

Police Scotland confirmed the investigation into the incident is ongoing.

Sergeant Lesley Morrison said: “Our thoughts are very much with Ivy’s family at what is an incredibly hard time for them.

“Our enquiries to establish the full circumstances of what happened are ongoing and I would ask anyone who can help who has not already spoken to officers to get in touch.”

Plymouth Brethren church thanked first responders who were “very professional and compassionate” in their response to the horror collision. In a statement, the church added: “We are a very supportive church, and we are giving the family and friends of the people involved in the accident the help they need.”

Anyone who can assist is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 3390 of Wednesday, 15 May, 2024.