The family of a tragic schoolgirl who drowned in the River Leven has welcomed plans to boost water safety as they prepare to mark what would have been her 13th birthday tomorrow.

Jamie Gillies, the devastated aunt of Ava Gray, spoke out as the council revealed an action plan is being developed, with private landowners also being urged to make lifebelts accessible to the public.

The national park has also since installed new safety equipment and signage to warn the public of the dangers.

It comes eight months after the 12-year-old dance champion lost her life in the river near to Balloch Bridge after playing in what appeared to be calm water with friends and getting into difficulty.

Her family said she was mature, responsible and a good swimmer.

The Lennox Primary pupil was described as being “full of kindness, sass and attitude”, and has left a huge hole in her loved one’s lives.

She would have turned 13 tomorrow.

Jamie said she was reassured by plans to step up water safety after Ava’s death on August 9 but feels more must be done to avoid more tragedies.

Tributes left at Balloch Bridge in Ava’s memory

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She commented: “I was pleased to see Police Scotland issue water safety posts and it would be great to see the authorities install more warnings and safety equipment.

“It’s good to know action is being taken as I believe if there was accessible buoyancy equipment available that day, it could have saved Ava’s life.

“It’s just really sad to see that there was a safety ring nearby but it was locked behind a fence.

“I feel the space under the bridge should be fenced off as it’s right beside the boats and there’s the risk of them getting tangled in their anchors or floats.

“I also think more warnings about strong currents would be appropriate.

“More could be done, especially around the Balloch Park side.

“I don’t think it’s much to ask for, particularly as we get into the warmer weather.

“The area also gets a lot of tourists. 

“When you’re local you get to realise the waters aren’t as calm and perfect as they look but it can be deceiving for those not from the area.”

Jamie spoke out last year and pleaded “don’t let her death be in vain” as they called for more to be done to highlight the dangers of water to kids.

Eight months on, she said the tragedy still feels extremely raw for the family, who include Ava’s heartbroken mum Leanne Rae.

Jamie said: “It would have been Ava’s 13th birthday and I hope this will remind people of her awful accident and remind others to be careful of the water.

“We have just been so consumed with grief since it happened and it’s been really difficult.

“My sister Leanne is the strongest woman I know.

“She’s just incredible and I admire her so much.

“I can’t explain how much of a hole Ava’s left behind.

“She made a huge impact on anyone she met and always left people smiling.

“As a family she meant the absolute world to us and she has left a void that can never be filled.”

Dumbarton Labour MSP candidate Jackie Baille contacted authorities including Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) to ask them to consider improvements.

She believes a water rescue station should be based at Balloch Fire Station and is disappointed there are no plans for one.

She said: “This is an issue which must be treated with the utmost importance.

“The tragic death of Ava Gray should have been a serious wake-up call for all of us. I believe that it is vitally important that we have a water rescue station at the Balloch Fire Station given its proximity to Loch Lomond and the River Leven.

“I was therefore disappointed to be told that no such water rescue station will be created.

“How many more lives must be lost before serious action is taken?”

In response, Joe Mckay, SFRS’ local senior officer for Argyll and Bute and East and West Dunbartonshire, said any incidents on the River Leven receive their “fullest response”, including rescue boats mobilised from Knightswood, Clydesmill and Polmadie to carry out technical search and rescue operations.

He said: “Our thoughts remain with those affected by this tragedy.

A balloon release was held in her memory

“We continually work in partnership to improve our response, which includes plans to schedule training alongside the Luss rescue boat crews and the RNLI, to support our partnership working in the future.”

He added that fire crews will continue to speak to young people on the dangers of playing in water in schools, saying: “The East and West Dunbartonshire, Argyll and Bute Community Safety Engagement Team have recently developed a package on water safety, to highlight the dangers of open water, and this is being shared with all schools across the area.”

A spokeswoman for West Dunbartonshire Council confirmed it is working together with other members of a Water Safety Partnership Group to improve water safety across West Dunbartonshire, with an action plan for enhanced safety measures and education currently being developed.

She added: “The River Leven is in various public and private ownership and management and landowners will be reminded of their responsibilities in relation to water safety, including advisory signage and availability of lifebelts.”

Simon Jones, director of conservation and visitor operations at Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority, said its work with the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents last summer has seen the installation of new safety equipment and signage at key visitor locations.

He said: “We will also be running a water safety campaign this season, highlighting the risks associated with the lochs and rivers of the National Park and advice for enjoying the water safely.

"We are part of a West Dunbartonshire partnership, set up to focus on water safety, and a joint water safety plan has been developed.

"We have also been liaising with local authorities and other partners on creating similar signage to ours for their own sites to ensure consistent, easy to follow messages.”