Tributes pour in for Games baton boy Kyle, 14

TRIBUTES poured in yesterday for a 14-year- old sports fan who died in his sleep – just days after he was chosen as a baton carrier for the Glasgow Commonwealth Games.

Kyle Wood, from Tranent, East Lothian, who suffered from epilepsy, died in the early hours of Monday morning after he suffered a seizure.

His death came only six days after the Ross High School pupil was honoured with a role in the Queen’s Baton Relay leading up to the Games this summer.

Yesterday, his heartbroken father, Scott, 38, said that the family, including Kyle’s 15-year-old sister Kai, had been left numb.

He added: It’s a massive loss to our lives. Kyle was the type of boy that brought a smile to everyone’s face and he made people laugh.

‘We are left with very fond memories.

‘ He absolutely l oved sports and was delighted when he found out that he had been selected to be a baton bearer.

‘As soon as he knew, he told everybody that he had been picked and that he was going to do it.

‘He was really excited and the whole family was really proud when we found out.’

Kyle, pictured, was a dedicated Hearts supporter and a keen cyclist who also loved music. He sang in the school choir and had recently started to play the trumpet.

He was also involved with the Lothian Leopards, a disability athletics club, and helped out at the Hearts girls’ team, for which his father is a coach.

Mr Wood, a contract manager, said: ‘Kyle was a Hearts fan and loved the atmosphere of the games. The bigger the game was, the more he enjoyed it.

‘He also came along to the Hearts under-13s girls’ games. He called himself a coach because he was always standing beside the coaches at the side of the pitch.’

Kyle’s mother, Susanne, 38, a learning support worker, spoke movingly of her son, saying: ‘Kyle was the heart and soul of the family.’

Paul Reynolds, headteacher of Ross High School, in Tranent, has also paid tribute to Kyle, saying that ‘things won’t be the same without him’.

Mr Reynolds added: ‘Kyle was a great boy and very well-known and liked across the school. He was an all-rounder, but particularly enjoyed sport. He made a big contribution to the life of Ross High School.

‘Kyle will be sadly missed and I would like his family and friends to know that we send them our deepest sympathies.’