TRIBUTES have been pouring in for a Prestonpans teenager who suddenly passed away on Tuesday.

Eilidh Buckley was an S6 pupil at Preston Lodge High School and a member of the school’s senior leadership team.

The 17-year-old was due to celebrate her 18th birthday in a few weeks’ time.

She also worked for The Filling Station, which has sandwich shops in both Prestonpans and Longniddry.

The news of her death was shared by The Filling Station on Tuesday evening shortly after 9pm.

It has closed both of its shops today (Thursday) to allow staff to process the “huge loss”.

Owner Carolyn Gibson said in a statement on Facebook: “It is with great sadness, today, that we lost an incredible young member of our team, Eilidh Buckley.

“Eilidh was a genuinely kind, caring, intelligent young lady, who worked extremely hard at everything she did, both at work and in life.

“We will miss so many things about Eilidh: her laughter, her energy, her incredible work ethic and most of all her ability to put a smile on all our faces.

“Eilidh was loved by the whole team and will be missed by us all.”

Carolyn went on to describe Eilidh as a “very precious, beautiful girl”.

She told the Courier: “She was an incredible girl and we will miss her so much. The girls are so upset.

“I get a few young ones in here and we’re all very close and like a second family.

“I was speaking to her mum and she said it was her second family.

“We would sit and have a chat about things. I’m very close to all my staff.

“I really just can’t believe it. It’s just so sad.”

She added: “The young ones, when someone young dies, it affects them so badly.

“We think at that age nothing can touch her… life is so precious.

“It’s so weird walking into the shop and she’s not there.”

When describing Eilidh, Carolyn said: “She was our frilly girl.

“She was very focused, incredibly focused. Even at school she studied and never went out a lot.

“She wanted to be the best, always wanted to be at the top.

“She was quite a quiet, diligent girl.”

Eilidh was due to celebrate her 18th birthday in a few weeks’ time. Carolyn had planned a special surprise, which included making a gin-themed cake and having a party.

She said that she still planned to mark the occasion and what would have been a special birthday for Eilidh.

In March last year, former Filling Station staff member Christine Bellany lost her battle with cancer; Christine trained Eilidh, and Carolyn said Eilidh kept every aspect of this training.

On her decision to close the shop, Carolyn said: “I wouldn’t want to open the shop, everyone was so upset.”

The Facebook post by The Filling Station has been shared more than 620 times and reacted to by more than 1,700 people.

Among the more than 260 comments was one from friend Jaime Sutherland, who said: “She was just the best friend I could have ever asked for. She will be missed so much.”

Another friend, Chloe Allen, said: “So beautiful inside and out and so thankful to say she was one of my best friends. Will forever be in my heart. Love you forever gorgeous girl.”

A member of the public said: “I don’t know this young girl but my thoughts and condolences go to her family and friends. So sad the loss of a young life.”