‘Devoted’ and ‘well-loved’ senior GP named as woman who died in paddleboarding accident at River Spey
A 57-year-old woman who died as a result of a paddleboarding accident in the River Spey on Friday has been named as Dr Julia Hamilton, a senior GP based in Perth.
Whitefriars Green Practice led tributes to the “devoted” and “well-loved” senior GP in a social media post yesterday.
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The practice described the news of Dr Hamilton’s passing as “a great shock”, adding that the GP was “a well-loved colleague and friend who was devoted to the care of our patients.”
A post from Whitefriars Green Practice’s partners on Facebook read: “We, as a practice, are deeply saddened to inform you of the tragic sudden death of our senior partner, Dr Julia Hamilton, on Friday, May 31, 2024 due to a paddle boarding accident on the River Spey.
“Dr Hamilton was an outdoor enthusiast and her family have derived great comfort that she passed away doing something she loved in a place that was very special to her.
“Dr Hamilton was a well-loved colleague and friend who was devoted to the care of our patients.
“We appreciate this news, as it was to us, is a great shock to you all. We are in the process of contacting patients who have an appointment with Dr Hamilton and would ask that you await us contacting you directly as opposed to contacting the practice yourselves.”
A major search involved all emergency services on Friday.
The Coastguard’s search and rescue helicopter has been assisting above the river, with police, ambulance and fire services helping in the operation on the ground.
Dr Hamilton was pronounced dead at the scene.
A statement from Police Scotland said: “Around 11.45am on Friday, May 31, 2024, we were called to a report of concern for a woman on a paddleboard in the River Spey, near to Aviemore.
"Emergency services attended however the 57-year-old woman died at the scene.
"There are not believed to any suspicious circumstances and enquiries are ongoing."
