Flu complications claim Wester Ross teen as infection rates rise further

An 18-year-old student has died in hospital following complications after catching the flu virus.

Applecross teen Bethany Walker had been suffering from the virus before it developed into pneumonia. She was then airlifted to Raigmore Hospital where she died despite the best efforts of the Inverness facility.

Her mother Heather Teale paid tribute on social media saying she's "broken", describing Bethany as "the best daughter I could have ever wished for".

She said: "She was airlifted to Raigmore with me by her side yesterday (Friday) morning, where she rapidly deteriorated"

"The staff in intensive care could not have done more, she was given the best possible treatment from a team of 8 people for over two hours, they tried everything possible but sadly despite their best efforts she didn't make it"

She also added "I have no more words. I'm truly devastated"

Bethany left Plockton High School last summer before going on to study midwifery in Aberdeen.

The secondary also paid tribute on social media, saying she was a "kind, caring, gifted and exceptionally conscientious student and a super role model for younger pupils both in the school itself"

She had been deputy head girl at the school.

Details of the 18-year-old's death come as official figures confirmed the number of flu cases in Scotland has doubled in the last week.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said, "Figures show a further doubling of flu rates in Scotland. Last week it was 46 per 100,000, that has gone up to 107 per 100,000 - four times the level of flu"

Eight of the 53 people treated in intensive care units in Scotland in the past fortnight have died, although officials stressed they may have had underlying health issues