A football loving teen's life was cut tragically short just days after Christmas from sepsis, initially shrugged off as a simple flu. Orla Taylor, 16, from Turriff in Aberdeenshire, who developed a cough and a fever over the festive period, died following what appeared to be routine symptoms, horrifying her close-knit family.

Her distraught father, Scott, speaking with the Press and Journal, shared: "We just miss her so much. We never dreamt for one moment we would lose her. Both times [we visited the out-of-hours hospital] we were told she had flu. By Hogmanay she was much worse so we called for emergency help. We are so incredibly grateful to the nurse practitioner and paramedics who immediately began treating Orla, believing it to be sepsis.

"We couldn't fault the care she received. From that first nurse responder to the resus team, to the medics in intensive care who all did everything they could. We are so, so thankful. Her brother and sister, grandparents, aunts and uncles, made it to see her and to speak with her, which we are really grateful for. We all miss her terribly. The weight of grief on everyone is immeasurable," reports The Mirror.

Orla was a gifted footballer and a player-coach for local youth team Turriff United, who said in a tribute: "Orla was a vibrant young player who played such an important role in our girls section over the years. She had a smile on her face for everyone and a great role model for our younger players. We will remember Orla in our own way as a club. However this tragic news is still very raw within our girls teams and the club as a whole and we are taking the time to support them through this sad time."

A service to celebrate Orla's life will be held on Monday, January 27, at 11.30 am in Fyvie Parish Church.