Girl, 16, dies after complaints of racist bullying

A Polish teenager who was found dead at her school had complained about racist bullying on a website linked to young suicides after moving to Cornwall with her family.

Dagmara Przybysz, 16, originally from Poland, had complained about suffering from racism at school on the Ask.fm site two years ago.

Police and paramedics were called to Pool Academy in Pool, Redruth, Cornwall, on Wednesday where the student was pronounced dead at the scene.

Zelma Hill, the school principal, said she was devastated by the news.

"The loss of Dagmara is heart-breaking. We are supporting students, staff and their families through this terrible time," she said.

In a statement the school described her as "beautiful, bright and creative".

"It is with overwhelming sadness that the principal, governors and staff of Pool Academy can confirm the tragic, sudden death of one of our students," it read.

"We are deeply shocked and saddened by the loss of Dagmara Przybysz. Dagmara was a beautiful, bright and creative 16-year-old student with a very promising future ahead of her. She was passionate about fashion and photography.

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to Dagmara's family and friends at this difficult time."

Devon and Cornwall Police said inquiries were continuing to establish the circumstances surrounding her death.

It is not being treated as suspicious and a file will be prepared for the coroner.

Inspector John Hannaford, sector inspector for Camborne and Redruth, said: "We understand this is a very distressing time for the family and the school.

"We are working closely with them and will offer support where required. Our thoughts remain with family at this difficult time."

She had used the Ask.fm site two years ago and when asked what problems she had a school, Dagmara had replied: "racism" and added that it makes her sad when friends say things behind her back.

Her friends posted tributes on social media criticising bullies.

One wrote: "It is so sad what people do to make people do this stuff."

Another friend wrote: "Such a beautiful girl, died a such a young age because of absolute p***ks."

Tamsin Chapple wrote on facebook: "How did it come to this? So very sad and such a tragedy of a beautiful young lady."

Emma Mills wrote: "Totally devastated for her family. You don't expect to send your child to school and then never see them again. My heart, thoughts and love go to her family, friends and teachers. RIP little one xxx"

Pool Academy reopened today and offered counselling to students.

Dagmara's father Jedrzej Przybysz, 35, said he was too upset to speak about his daughter's death.

One neighbour said: "She was such a nice girl. I just can not believe it. They are such a nice family. It is so sad. Everyone is heartbroken."

Last year social networking site Ask.fm created a safety advisory board after it was linked with cyberbullying and teen suicides, after a number of users took their lives after receiving abusive anonymous messages.

The Latvian-based site has been criticised over its policy of allowing users to ask each other anonymous questions

In 2013 14-year-old Hannah Smith from Leicestershire committed suicide after receiving a series of messages telling her her to "drink bleach", "go get cancer" and "go die". The site later claimed it appeared the teenager had sent the messages to herself.

Ciara Pugsley, 15, was also found dead in woodland near her home in Ireland in 2013, after becoming the target of abusive messages on the Ask.fm website.

• Lifeline: 0800 543 354 (available 24/7)
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