Keiran,12 crushed to death playing with pals
Distraught boys raised alarm after horror accident
Tributes paid to schoolboy who died after 15ft pole tumbled down slope on top of him
TRAGIC schoolboy Keiran Esquierdo’s friends were in shock last night after seeing their pal crushed to death.
Keiran, 12, was trapped under a heavy 15ft pole which tumbled down a steep embankment as his helpless friends looked on.
Although they raised the alarm quickly, nothing could be done to save the popular schoolboy.
Yesterday, as the four friends who were with Keiran helped police with their inquiries into the accident, tributes were paid to the “bright, hardworking” boy.
The group of friends were playing together in Kirkconnel, near Sanquhar, Dumfriesshire, when tragedy struck on Sunday afternoon.
Police, ambulance and fire crews were called to the scene near Glenaylmer Road at around 4.40pm after Keiran’s friends raised the alarm with neighbours.
Keiran, an S1 pupil at Sanquhar Academy, was pronounced dead at the scene. A source said last night that the friends who had witnessed the accident were “understandably distraught”.
Police officers were with Keiran’s heartbroken family.
Officers have cordoned off the area while an examination of the scene is carried out.
Yesterday, one wooden pole could be seen at the top of the bank, while another lay against a fence at the bottom.
Friends of Keiran visited the spot yesterday morning to lay flowers and leave tribute messages.
One read: “Fly high Keiran, miss u so much.”
Tom Snow, headteacher at Sanquhar Academy, said Keiran’s death had sent shock waves through the school and the wider community.
He said: “In his few months at Sanquhar Academy, Keiran had shown himself to be a bright, hardworking and motivated student who loved animals and nature.
“He was highly thought of by his teachers and fellow pupils. Keiran’s loss will be acutely felt across both the school community and the wider community of Upper Nithsdale.
“Our thoughts are with Keiran’s family and friends at this very sad and distressing time.”
Keiran had been a pupil at Kelloholm Primary School until last year.
The primary school’s headteacher Malcolm McGregor said: “We are deeply shocked and greatly saddened to hear of the tragic death of our former pupil Keiran.
“He was a considerate and gentle boy who was a popular member of our school community. He’ll be sorely missed by his friends.
“Our thoughts are with his family and all at Kelloholm Primary School offer our heartfelt condolences.”
Meanwhile, tributes were pouring in for the schoolboy on social media yesterday.
Detective Inspector Bryan Lee said: “Investigations are continuing into this tragedy and the procurator fiscal has been informed.”
Inspector Rory Caldow described Keiran’s death as a “tragedy”.
He said: “The kids raised the alarm at a nearby neighbour’s and they were really, really upset by what had happened.”
Local MP and Scottish Secretary David Mundell said: “This will be a huge shock to the community of Kelloholm which is very tight-knit. I am sure that everyone will be doing their utmost to support each other.”