Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
‘A BOY WHO MELTED YOUR HEART’
Parents pay tribute to Kayden, 5, as they comfort twin brother
THE parents of Kayden Fleck last night said: “He would melt your heart.”
The five-year-old died on Saturday after falling into a swollen river in Ballymena, Co Antrim.
His twin Jayden is being comforted.
SMILING and joking together, these are the “two musketeers” torn apart by tragedy.
Kayden Fleck, pictured looking up at his twin brother Jayden, died after falling into the River Braid in Ballymena, Co Antrim, on Saturday.
Emergency services sprang into action, with police helicopters and vehicles launching a massive search operation within minutes.
The five-year-old was pulled from the water, after being swept four miles down the river and flown by air ambulance to the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children.
Tragically he passed away later that day.
Described by their devastated parents Darrel and Leanne as the “two musketeers”, the family has paid tribute to “happy-go-lucky” Kayden.
His parents said the Harryville Primary School pupil was “your average wee boy” who “just melted your heart”.
In a statement, they added: “The family want to thank each of the agencies who were involved in the search and rescue operation yesterday and say they are grateful for the community support they have received since.”
HEARTBROKEN
Thousands of tributes have been paid to the schoolboy on social media as the community rallies to support his heartbroken family.
Members of the public joined the search on Saturday to help find Kayden who fell into the river close to the Ecos Centre, a nature park off the Broughshane Road.
It is understood the strong current carried the boy for several miles before he was rescued from the freezing water near the Galgorm Castle Golf Club.
Regional commander of the Community Rescue Service Sean Mccarry told the BBC the boy “accidentally fell into the River Braid near the Ecos Centre at Ballymena and was quickly swept downstream”.
SDLP councillor for the area Declan O’loan said his thoughts are with the family at this time.
He added: “I want to extend my deepest sympathy to the family of young Kayden, I can’t imagine what they are going through at this time.
“I also want to extend my deepest sympathies to the entire Harryville Primary School community who are suffering the loss of one of their pupils.”
In a statement the school said: “Please remember the family in your thoughts and prayers at this very sad time as they mourn the loss of wee Kayden.
“The whole school community is remembering you at this sad time.” They later added: “School will be open on Monday and Tuesday from noon until 6pm to allow anyone from Harryville, Ballykeel and wider areas to come and sign a book of condolence for Kayden and his family.
“There will also be a donation box and tea/coffee available.”
Ulster Unionist Councillor for Ballymena Stephen Nicholl said: “This was a very unfortunate incident, but tribute must be paid to all of the emergency services involved.
“Every one of them – the police, fire and rescue, community rescue, paramedics – because this was a major operation.
“My thoughts are with the family of the young boy and this very difficult time.” Police Insp Shaf Ali said: “I would like to thank everyone involved in the search effort and extend my sincerest condolences to the family at this time.”
A fundraising page has already gathered more than £2,000 for Kayden’s family to help “send him off in a way in which he deserves”.