A schoolgirl aged 13 died in her father's arms after she collapsed during an evening out with friends.

Bethan Webb was in a local park when she was struck by a suspected seizure.

A friend called her father, David, who went to the scene and attempted to resuscitate his daughter before paramedics arrived. She never regained consciousness and was pronounced dead in hospital.

Yesterday Paul Melling, a local councillor, said: “Everyone is in shock over this. The girl went out for the night with friends and the next minute her parents got a call to say she was seriously ill.

“The dad went down there and tried to resuscitate her but he couldn't bring her round. I was told it was caused by a medical condition that runs in the family. My thoughts are with her family. It must be very hard for them.”

Bethan lived in Portlethen, outside Aberdeen, with her younger sister Megan, 10, and her mother, Christine. It is understood that the family were originally from Newcastle upon Tyne and had moved to Scotland.

The teenager was in the second year at Portlethen Academy secondary school and was said to enjoy sports, particularly netball and athletics. She was said to be looking forward to her summer holidays and was due to visit York next week on a school trip.

On Saturday, she went with friends to Nicol Park, which is popular with young people because it has a skate park and basketball courts. She collapsed at about 8pm.

It is understood that she had no history of medical problems but appeared to have suffered what onlookers described as a seizure.

Ian Hebenton, the father of Bethan's best friend, Emma, said: “Bethan was always smiling. She was a normal, happy teenager who didn't have a care in the world. When Emma told us what had happened we were shocked. You don't expect something like this to happen to someone so young. She never had a chance to live any kind of life. Emma is extremely cut up.”

Dozens of bouquets have been laid at Nicol Park in memory of the girl. One message read: “To the best sister ever. I will always miss you. Love from Megan.”

Others left messages on her page on the Bebo networking website. One said: “Been thinking about you all day. Just can't believe it. You will never, ever, be forgotten. Hope they look after you and your next life is just as good as this one. Miss you so much.”

Last night a spokeswoman for Grampian Police said: “We were called to the park after a 13-year-old girl took ill. An ambulance attended and she was taken to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, where she later died.

“There appears to be no suspicious circumstances and, as is normally the case, a report will be sent to the Procurator Fiscal.”

A post-mortem examination will be carried out.