School is left reeling after death of a third teenager
Staff and pupils at Hirst High School were yesterday trying to come to terms with the tragic deaths of three students in the past few weeks. Prior to Gemma and Karl, pupil Dean Aitken, 14, died from medical complications after a major heart operation.
Headmaster Ged Lee said: "We are trying to help students cope with these three tragic deaths in just a matter of weeks and it is a very, very difficult time. It is like losing three members of your family.
"There is an air of devastation and disbelief and it is very difficult to grasp that we are not going to see these young people again, especially for fellow-pupils."
A team of counsellors is moving into the school to help grieving pupils.
Mr Lee said: "Everyone at the school is absolutely devastated by Gemma's death. It is particularly hard to handle coming so soon after the death of Karl Peart. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends at this time."
Northumberland
