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A 15-year-old school girl has been named as the victim of a stabbing in Hexham, Northumberland, on Friday. Holly Newton, also known as Holly Olivia, was a student at the local Queen Elizabeth School, and many friends have since voiced their anguish at the devastating news. Close relatives and friends have been seen leaving moving tributes and flowers at the scene of the stabbing in the quaint Northumberland town which is reeling from the tragedy.
Many were spotted in tears and embraced each other in front of the tributes left outside the Halifax bank on Priestpopple.
One note, left by Holly's mother read: "To our baby Holly. Our hearts hurt so much right now. We love you so much. Love mam and Lee. See you soon beautiful."
Another laid by Holly's grandmother read: "All ways loved never forgotten. Your never be out of our thoughts. All our love nana and granddad." [sic]
A third tribute left at the scene read: "All our love to the most beautiful girl in the world. We will miss you forever Holly."
More than £3,000 has been raised for the family with over 200 separate donations in a GoFundMe for the family at the time of writing.
Among the emotional tributes, one friend wrote on the fundraising page: "Holly was a beautiful 15-year-old that loved dancing and will be sadly missed."
Holly was one of two teenagers stabbed in the attack just after 5pm on Friday.
While the 15-year-old girl passed away later that evening, another boy suffered serious, non-life-threatening injuries and remains in hospital in a stable condition.
A 16-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in custody.
Northumbria Police said it believes the three teenagers knew each other.
Chief Superintendent Sam Rennison told reporters that it was a "devastating time for the families of these young people and what is really important is we continue to provide that specialist support and advice from our specially trained officers to make sure that they get through the coming days, weeks and months".
She added her thanks to members of the public for their support, "particularly those who tried to provide assistance to the injured boy and girl at the scene".
Hexham mayor Derek Kennedy said the town, which often tops lists of the 'happiest place to live' in the UK, was "in complete shock".
He said: "To lose one of our children who attends a local high school is just horrendous.
"To happen to such a young person and the alleged perpetrator to be a young person, in the high street at 5pm, is just shocking.
"Everyone is struggling to come to terms with it It will ruin so many lives."
