Two-year-old twin boys drown in garden pond

Officers are supporting the family as police try to find out exactly what happened

Emergency services were called to the scene in Dalgety Bay at around 8.20am on Saturday after the brothers were found (PA)

Two-year-old twin boys have drowned in "heartbreaking" circumstances after falling into a fish pond in a garden in Fife.

Emergency services were called to the scene in Dalgety Bay at around 8.20am on Saturday after the brothers were found.

The boys, named locally as Rhys and Shaun, were rushed to Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy but later died, Police Scotland said.

Local MSP Alex Rowley described the incident as "every parent's worst nightmare".

Officers are supporting the family, named locally as Mervyn Scott and Sarah Aitken, as police try to find out exactly what happened.

Images on social media showed the cul-de-sac at the scene cordoned off with police tape and officers standing guard at the front of the home.

It is understood the pond is in the back garden of the house.

Dalgety Bay councillor Dave Dempsey said the community was shocked.

He told the Daily Record: "It is enormously sad and my heart goes out to the family.

"I cannot begin to imagine what the family are going through - it is everyone's worst nightmare. The whole community is shocked.

"As local councillors, we were all notified that two young children had fallen into a pond and died. To think it is twin boys is heartbreaking."

Mr Rowley said: "This is awful news and is every parent's worst nightmare.

"The loss of two young lives from the same family is just heartbreaking. My thoughts and prayers, and those of the whole community, are with the family."

Police and ambulance crews were called to the scene to help the boys.

A Police Scotland spokesman said: "We received a call around 8.20am on Saturday following a report of concern for two children at an address in Dalgety Bay, Fife.

"Two male twins, aged two had reportedly drowned in a fish pond and officers attended with the Scottish Ambulance Service.

"The children were taken to the Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy where they sadly died."

Press Association