Tragedy as boy, 12, dies af ter being pulled from River Tay
A SCHOOLBOY has died two days after being injured while taking part in watersport activities at a popular river beauty spot.
The youngster, 12-year-old Kayden Walker, was airlifted to hospital after he was hurt during a day out on the River Tay near Perth.
It is understood that he was taking part in an ‘organised activity’ and was ‘boogie boarding’ downstream of Stanley Beach at an area known locally as Hell Hole Corner.
Despite reportedly being resuscitated at the scene by emergency services, Kayden, from Glasgow, lost his fight for life in hospital yesterday. Police said he died in the early hours and they were investigating the circumstances.
The Coastguard helicopter was called out at 1.40pm on Sunday and took Kayden to Ninewells Hospital, Dundee. He was later transferred to the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow.
It is thought Kayden had been using a small surf board, known as a boogie board, when he got into difficulty. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said appliances from Perth and Dunkeld attended, along with water rescue teams from Dundee and Perth.
Kayden is believed to have been on a trip with a charity from Glasgow. His older brother, Kai Thomson, 20, posted a tribute online, saying: ‘There’s no words I could say to make this any easier.
‘Woke up this morning, done the usual scroll through Facebook and then five minutes later I remember the absolute nightmare of the last two nights and it all begins to sink in all over again.
‘You really don’t know what’s around the corner and in my mind I still don’t fully believe it all.’
He added: ‘You’re up there with granda now, so look after each other. I love you wee man with all my heart. Until we meet again.’
Angela Milton, headteacher of St Mungo’s Academy in Glasgow’s Gallowgate, where Kayden was a pupil, said: ‘This is devastating news and our thoughts and prayers are with Kayden’s family and friends at this tragic time.
‘We will offer support and guidance to our pupils when they return to school in a couple of weeks’ time and help Kayden’s family in any way that we can.’
‘Our family will never be the same’
Sean Jonathan, a neighbour of Kayden’s mother, Charlene Walker, said he was a ‘lovely wee lad’.
Another neighbour said: ‘It’s terrible. I almost didn’t believe it when I was first told.’
Relative Brogan O’Connor also paid tribute to Kayden, writing: ‘Absolutely heartbroken to share the news of the tragic death of my young cousin Kayden.
‘A wee boy with his full life ahead of him taken too soon in a freak accident as he was enjoying his summer holidays – our family will never be the same.’
Friends of the family also paid tribute to the schoolboy, with one saying: ‘RIP Kayden. Always had a smile on your face whenever I seen you. Fly high wee man, thinking of his family at this heartbreaking time.’
Another wrote: ‘Kayden was an amazing wee guy mate, was so close to him and helped him whenever I could have.’
Gordon Pryde, local senior fire officer for Perth and Kinross, Angus and Dundee, said: ‘We are saddened to learn that the boy has died in hospital, and our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time.’
He said the emergency service had mobilised two fire appliances and two water rescue units in response to reports of a person in difficulty in the River Tay.
A Police Scotland statement said yesterday: ‘Police Scotland can confirm that sadly the 12year-old who got into difficulties in the River Tay near Stanley on Sunday has died in hospital in the early hours of this morning.
‘Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this very tragic time. Inquiries into the incident are ongoing and a report will be submitted to the procurator fiscal.’