TRIBUTES TO ‘A FINE YOUNG MAN’
Death of‘ friendly, endearing, charismatic’ teenager will be a ‘great loss’ to his school
Heartfelt tributes have been paid to a Hamilton schoolboy who died tragically last week.
Brandon Rice, who passed away after falling ill at a house party in the town last Wednesday, July 17, was described as a “fine young man”.
Police are now probing the teen’s death, which may be drugs related.
The Hamilton Grammar pupil was looking forward to being a prefect at the school next session.
His head teacher, Graeme Sives, said his passing would be a “great loss” to the school community.
He said: “Everyone at the school had a great affinity with Brandon – he was friendly, endearing and charismatic.
“He was as popular with staff as he was with his fellow students and had just been elected as a prefect for next session.”
A Hamilton schoolboy who died after taking unwell at a house party in the town has been described as a “fine young man”.
Heartfelt tributes have poured in for Hamilton Grammar pupil Brandon Rice who collapsed at a house party in Pitreavie Court, Woodhead, in the early hours of Wednesday, July 17.
He was rushed to hospital in East Kilbride, where he died.
The 17-year-old, who lived in Rutherglen, had been looking forward to becoming a school prefect next session.
His head teacher said Brandon’s passing would be a “great loss” to the school community.
Graeme Sives said: “Everyone at the school had a great affinity with Brandon – he was friendly, endearing and charismatic.
“He was as popular with staff as he was with his fellow students and had just been elected as a prefect for next session.
“Brandon was a talented sportsman, particularly in rugby, and also last month gained a silver medal in track and field at the county sports.
“He was a student mentor for the Sportworx training programme, having excelled on the course the previous year and had career options in that area as well as ambitions to join the fire service.
“Brandon was a fine young man and is a great loss to our school community.
“He had contributed so strongly and had so much to offer and his passing will be keenly felt by all of us.”
Hamilton Rugby Club also extended their “deepest sympathy” to the family and friends of the tragic teen.
Rugby club president Ross Whiteside wrote on the club’s website: “It is with great sorrow that we advise our members and supporters of the passing of Brandon Rice, one of our under-18 squad.
“Brandon and his family have been a part of our club for many years, with two of his brothers also playing for the club and he himself has been a player since mini-rugby level.
“In this time, there is little that can be said and done to ease the pain, but we extend our deepest sympathy to Brandon’s close family and friends, from Brandon’s rugby family, both at Hamilton Rugby Club and across the broader rugby community.
“The club will work closely with the family to offer any assistance we can.”
The circumstances surrounding the 17-year-old’s death are yet to be confirmed.
However, Police Scotland say one line of enquiry they will investigate is whether drugs were involved.
A spokesperson for Police Scotland said: “One line of enquiry may be drugs. But we will not know the cause of death until the results of the post-mortem come back and enquiries are ongoing.”
Two girls, 16 and 17, and a boy, 16, also received medical treatment but were not believed to be in a serious condition.
He was as popular with staff as he was with his fellow students and had just been elected as a prefect for next session Graeme Sives, Head teacher, Hamilton Grammar School