Friend of Ukrainian refugee schoolgirl, 14, who died on Devon beach says he has ‘local friends’

The Ukrainian schoolgirl who died after being found unconscious on a Devon beach had “local friends” and loved life in the UK.

Albina Yevko, 14, was living with a host family and her mother in Dawlish after fleeing Ukraine a year ago following the Russian invasion.

But the teenager, who attended a local school, was found on a beach on Saturday night after being reported missing. Albina was flown to Exeter Hospital but later died. Her death is being treated as unexplained.

A family friend in Ukraine said: “Albina and her mother Inna fled to Britain almost immediately after the start of the war. We are all so shocked by the news from the UK.

“Everything was fine with them in Britain. I know that Albina had started to speak English, not too confident, but after about a year she understood it well.

Inna Yevko with her daughter Albina as a child in Ukraine. Today she spoke of her heartbreak

Albina Yevko, 14, lived in Dawlish after fleeing Ukraine with her mother after the Russian invasion

“She went to a local school.”

Speaking from Albina’s hometown of Kryvyi Rih, the friend said: ‘I know they both got used to their life in Britain and loved it.

“Albina made some local friends. I saw a girl in a picture with the family who hosted her in the UK…so I was happy for Albina.”

In Ukraine, before the war, the tragic girl had done well in school.

“She went to a music school and played the piano. I can’t say if she graduated, but she definitely played the piano. She was so nice and always smiling,” the friend added.

Earlier, in a statement from Devon and Cornwall Police, her mother Inna Yevko said: “My family and I are devastated to have lost our beautiful Albina. Nothing can ever replace her in our hearts. We ask that our privacy be respected at this incredibly painful time.’

Police have been called to reports of a young girl missing in Dawlish on Saturday night

Police near the beach where Albina was found on Saturday

Police were called when the “kind and caring” teenager was reported missing on Saturday night.

Searches by a police helicopter and the Coast Guard tracked Albina to a beach in the city, where she was found unconscious. She later died at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital.

Officials said they are continuing to investigate the circumstances of her death, but it was not treated as suspicious.

Sam Banks, principal at Dawlish College, where Albina was a 9th grader, paid tribute to the teenager.

He said: “Everyone in our school community was devastated to learn of the tragic death of Albina.

“Our thoughts are currently with Albina’s family and loved ones and we have offered them our deepest condolences and support.

“Albina will be sorely missed by all who knew her and we have put in place continued emotional support and signposts for staff and students affected by this terrible news.

“We would like to respect the family’s request and reiterate that their privacy is respected at this incredibly painful time.”

Mrs Yevko and her daughter Albina moved to Dawlish after war with Russia broke out a year ago

Searches by a police helicopter and coastguard located the teenager on a city beach and she was flown to the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital

The community has expressed shock at their discovery.

Viktoriia Zviholska, 38, a cleaner, said she arrived in Dawlish from Ukraine in May last year and became friends with the family.

She said: “I want to honor the memory of my friend’s daughter from Ukraine.

“Not only was she young, she was very bright, smart, interesting, and loved to draw.

“She was a good person. I can’t believe this could happen to her. We are all one society and we know stereotypes. That this person is more likely to run 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 English services for the quick response to the query.

“Unfortunately, medicine didn’t have time to help. Please help us to find out what happened so that we can warn everyone that such mistakes happened 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 enough to live with their host family.

“They liked England. Inna is a specialist in the IT industry. She had a job.

“Albina was happy about 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 only have fond memories of our time together.”

Other members of the local community in Dawlish have also continued to pay tribute.

A local, a Red Cross worker, said: “It’s heartbreaking to think of what her family has been through.

“How much does a person have to go through.

“As a community, we are all incredibly sad”

A local tea room worker added: “It’s desperately sad. She came so far from Ukraine and this has happened now.

“We welcome Ukrainians to Dawlish and our hearts are with the family. It is terrible news and difficult to understand.’

A parent whose son attended Dawlish College with Albina said all the students received a letter about the tragedy.

She said: “My son is two years younger than the girl but goes to school. I read the beginning of the letter from school and burst into tears. As a mother, put yourself in the same position.

“Having fled Ukraine to come here, the whole story is just tragic.”

Source: | This article originally belongs to Dailymail.co.uk