‘They loved their life in Britain’: Family friend of Ukrainian refugee schoolgirl, 14, who died on Devon beach says she had ‘local friends’ and had started speaking English – as she pictured with her mother who said ‘Nothing can ever replace her’
- Police were called to reports that the teenager had gone missing on Saturday
The Ukrainian schoolgirl who died after being found unconscious on a beach in Devon had ‘local friends’ and was loving life in Britain.
Albina Yevko, 14, had been living with a host family and her mother in Dawlish after fleeing Ukraine following Russia’s invasion a year ago.
But the teenager, who attended a local school, was found on a beach on Saturday evening after she was reported missing. Albina was airlifted to hospital in Exeter but later died. Her death is being treated as unexplained.
A family friend in Ukraine said: ‘Albina and her mother Inna fled to the UK almost as soon as the war began. We are all so shocked about the news from the UK.
‘Everything was good with them in Britain. I know Albina had started to speak English, not too confident but she understood it well after a year or so.
Inna Yevko with her daughter Albina as a child in Ukraine. She spoke of her heartbreak today
Albina Yevko, 14, had been living in Dawlish after fleeing Ukraine with her mother following Russia’s invasion
‘She was going to a local school.’
Speaking from Albina’s home city Kryvyi Rih, the friend said: ‘I know they had both got used to their life in Britain, and loved it.
‘Albina gained some local friends. I saw one girl in a picture with the family which hosted them in the UK…..so I was happy for Albina.’
In Ukraine before the war, the tragic girl had done well at school.
‘She attended a music school and played the piano. I cannot say if she graduated but she definitely played the piano. She was so kind and always smiling,’ the friend added.
Earlier her mother Inna Yevko said in a statement issued by Devon and Cornwall Police: ‘Myself and my family are devastated to have lost our beautiful Albina. Nothing can ever replace her in our hearts. We ask that our privacy is respected at this incredibly painful time.’
Police were called to reports of a teenage girl missing from Dawlish on Saturday evening
Police close to the beach where Albina was found on Saturday
Police were called when the ‘kind and caring’ teenager was reported missing on Saturday evening.
Searches by a police helicopter and coastguard tracked Albina to a beach in the town where she was found unconscious. She later died at Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital.
Officers said they are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding her death but it was not being treated as suspicious.
Sam Banks, headteacher at Dawlish College, where Albina was a year 9 student, paid tribute to the teen.
He said: ‘Everyone in our school community has been devastated to learn of the tragic death of Albina.
‘Our thoughts are currently with Albina’s family and loved ones and we have extended our deepest condolences and offers of support to them.
‘Albina will be sorely missed by all who knew her, and we have set up ongoing emotional support and signposting for staff and students affected by this terrible news.
‘We would like to respect and echo the family’s request that their privacy be respected at this incredibly painful time.’
Ms Yevko and her daughter Albina moved to Dawlish after war with Russia broke out a year ago
Searches by a police helicopter and coastguard tracked down the teenager to a beach in the town and she was airlifted to the Royal Devon and Exeter hospital
The community have expressed their shock at her discovery.
Viktoriia Zviholska, 38, a cleaner said she arrived in Dawlish from Ukraine in May last year and became close friends with the family.
She said: ‘I want to honor the memory of my friend’s daughter from Ukraine.
‘She was not only young, but also very bright, smart, interesting, she loved to draw.
‘She was a good person. I can’t believe this could happen to her. We are all a society and we know about stereotypes. That this person is more likely to get into such a story. This is the law of regularity. But what happened to Albina is complete nonsense.
‘Albina always discussed with her mother what she would do and where she would go.
‘Thanks to all the services of England for responding so quickly to the search request.
‘It is unfortunate that medicine did not have time to help. Please help us find out what happened so that we can warn everyone that there were no such mistakes, not only among Ukrainian children, but also among English children.
‘I have known this family since May last year. We met here. They were lucky to live with their family host.
‘They liked England. Inna is a specialist in the IT industry. She had a job.
‘Albina rejoiced at the new school. Maybe I found new friends. We met for lunch together. We celebrated the new year together.
Inna Yevko (R) mother of Albina Yevko pictured with her friend Viktoriia Zviholska (L), who revealed they had come to Dawlish last May
‘I found good people in them. I have only good memories of our time together.’
Other members of the local community in Dawlish have also continued to pay tribute.
One local, a Red Cross worker, said: ‘It breaks your heart given all that her family had been through.
‘How much does one person have to go through.
‘As a community, we are all incredibly sad’
A local tea room worker added: ‘It is desperately sad. She has come so far from Ukraine and this has happened now.
‘We welcome Ukrainians in Dawlish and our hearts go out to the family. It’s awful news and hard to get your head around.’
A parent whose son went to Dawlish College alongside Albina said all pupils were sent a letter about the tragedy.
She said: ‘My son’s two years younger than the girl but goes to the school. I read the top of the letter from the school and burst into tears. As a mum, you put yourself in the same position.
‘Having fled Ukraine to come here, the whole story is just tragic.’
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