A TEENAGE girl who died during a bushwalk east of Perth on Saturday was a boarding student at St Paul’s College in Walla.
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Principal Barry Krueger said Hannah Freeman, 17, would have started year 11 at the school this year.
Mr Krueger said the news had came as a shock to the school community.
“Hannah was a boarding student who was well-liked within the boarding community,” he said.
The girl had been walking with her father in John Forrest National Park on Saturday when they became separated.
Another walker found her collapsed on a path about 6.40pm.
Emergency services were called and workers tried to resuscitate her but she was declared dead at the scene.
Mr Krueger said students and staff would organise a memorial for the student when school resumed after holidays.
“It’s a sad time for the school community but all our thoughts are with the family,” he said.
Mr Krueger said the family were originally from Sydney but the mother and father were staying in Perth for work.
Police said the girl had no visible injuries and it was not known how she died.
Inspector Dominic Wood said there was no evidence of foul play.
“All we know is the 17-year-old female who’s currently residing over in Perth with family was out walking with her father, bushwalking, late afternoon or early evening,” he said.
“We understand, for reasons we’re not fully aware of at this stage, that they became separated.
“But we’re not sure how long they were separated or how long they were out there.
“Around 6.40pm a fellow walker stumbled across the body of the 17-year-old female on one of the bushwalks.”
They were believed to have been walking most of the afternoon.
An autopsy will be carried out this week.