22-year-old sports student collapses and dies of heart attack

Gael Mackinnon: The 22-year-old was a fitness fanatic.© Deadline

A sports student who jogged every day has died of a heart attack aged just 22.

Gael Mackinnon collapsed on Sunday morning after a night out with friends.

She worked part-time as a barmaid and was enjoying a sports science degree at Edinburgh University.

Just days before she died, Ms Mackinnon had been reunited with her brother, Euan, after he returned from Australia.

Her 24-year-old sister, Dawn, broke the news to friends on Facebook, writing: "She died after a heart attack. I can't express how amazing she was. Many thanks for everyone's support; she was truly loved by everyone."

Ms Mackinnon, from Bathgate, West Lothian, was known at the pub where she worked for never taking a day off sick in four years.

Brenda Henderson, manager of the Southsider pub in Newington said: "She was just the most gorgeous barmaid, very bubbly and so loved by every member of staff and customers. We always said she was the most gorgeous barmaid at the Southsider, but she was also hard working and reliable - if anyone needed a shift covered, she would be the first person I asked.

"We are still in a complete state of shock. She was very healthy and never took a day sick off work. Gael used to jog around Arthur's Seat everyday and planned to talk part in a Moonwalk for charity this year. She also enjoyed practising her sports massage skills on other members of staff.

"It is really sad because before she died she was the happiest I had ever seen her. When she didn't turn up for work on Sunday it was the first time she had missed a shift and I was just so shocked when her aunt called us to say what had happened.

"Gael was really enjoying her sport therapy course at Edinburgh University and also loved being on her family's farm. She particularly enjoyed lambing and things like that."

Ms Mackinnon’s friend have paid tribute to her on her Facebook page.

One friend, Connor Stewart, said: "I'm really going to miss your cheery attitude to life, you were such a hard working person and still managed to stay smiling no matter how hard your busy life got. Nothing will be the same without you, the bus trips past the sea will always remind me of you. Thank you so much for all that you gave me and I hope you are in a better place, Goodbye."

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