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Mother of pupil killed by cricket ball pays tribute to 'light of our lives' Mother of pupil killed by cricket ball pays tribute to 'light of our lives'
(about 3 hours later)
The mother of a boy who died after apparently being hit on the head with a cricket ball in a school playground has described him as the "light of our lives".The mother of a boy who died after apparently being hit on the head with a cricket ball in a school playground has described him as the "light of our lives".
Kyle Rees, 16, suffered a head injury at Portchester School on Monday in Bournemouth, Dorset, and died in hospital on Tuesday. Kyle Rees, 16, suffered a head injury at Portchester school in Bournemouth, Dorset, on Monday and died in hospital on Tuesday.
A 16-year-old boy arrested by police on suspicion of manslaughter has been released on bail while inquiries continue.A 16-year-old boy arrested by police on suspicion of manslaughter has been released on bail while inquiries continue.
Kyle's mother, Tanya Cooper, from Bournemouth, sobbed as she spoke of her son. She said: "He was the light of our lives, he was our everything. I can't think of enough words to say about him."Kyle's mother, Tanya Cooper, from Bournemouth, sobbed as she spoke of her son. She said: "He was the light of our lives, he was our everything. I can't think of enough words to say about him."
Dorset police said the incident happened at 2.10pm on Monday and Kyle was taken by ambulance to Bournemouth hospital. He was later transferred to Southampton general hospital, where he died.Dorset police said the incident happened at 2.10pm on Monday and Kyle was taken by ambulance to Bournemouth hospital. He was later transferred to Southampton general hospital, where he died.
One line of inquiry police are pursuing is that a fight involving dozens of children broke out at the school on Monday lunchtime. Police were still at the school on Wednesday. One line of inquiry police are pursuing is that a fight involving dozens of children broke out at the school on Monday lunchtime.
Another suggestion police are following up is that Kyle was caught up in playground high-jinks when a group of children began hurling balls at each other but were not fighting.
Kyle's elder brother, Jason Coles, wrote on Facebook: "We loved him, as did so many people. Those who did not meet him I am sorry for, he was cheeky, charming and amazing. He lived life incredibly in the way that everyone should, to its fullest. I love him and miss him a lot."
Children arrived at school today wearing black clothing out of respect for Kyle.
His friend Matt Dellow, 16, said: "I have known Kyle since primary school and he was the most amazing boy I have met. He always cared about everyone. He was like a brother to all of us and we would hang out all the time outside of school. Kyle was always smiling and put a smile on other people's face. I was distraught when I found out what had happened and broke down in tears."
A Home Office pathologist was due to carry out a postmortem examination on Kyle's body on Wednesday to determine the exact cause of death.
Hundreds of bunches of flowers have been left at the school gates. One tribute written on a football said: "RIP mate from Duncan ur be close to me forever xxx." Pupils have been offered counselling.Hundreds of bunches of flowers have been left at the school gates. One tribute written on a football said: "RIP mate from Duncan ur be close to me forever xxx." Pupils have been offered counselling.
Debbie Godfrey-Phaure, the executive head of the school, said: "Students and staff are devastated by this terrible tragedy and our hearts and prayers are very much with the boy's family and friends.Debbie Godfrey-Phaure, the executive head of the school, said: "Students and staff are devastated by this terrible tragedy and our hearts and prayers are very much with the boy's family and friends.
"It is difficult to know what to do for the best in these distressing circumstances but our focus must be on providing as much support as possible to our close-knit school community as we all try to come to terms with what has happened."It is difficult to know what to do for the best in these distressing circumstances but our focus must be on providing as much support as possible to our close-knit school community as we all try to come to terms with what has happened.
"The next few weeks and months are going to be emotionally testing for our students and staff, but we will be doing all we can for them. We are also fully assisting the authorities with their investigations."The next few weeks and months are going to be emotionally testing for our students and staff, but we will be doing all we can for them. We are also fully assisting the authorities with their investigations.
"The emergency services cannot be praised highly enough for their prompt actions at the time, and we also pay tribute to the outstanding medical help he received at hospital. At an appropriate time we will be celebrating his memory and life at school. He was a memorable and talented young man. He was very popular with his peers and was due to do well in his GCSEs this summer." "The emergency services cannot be praised highly enough for their prompt actions at the time, and we also pay tribute to the outstanding medical help he received at hospital. At an appropriate time we will be celebrating his memory and life at school.
"He was a memorable and talented young man. He was very popular with his peers and was due to do well in his GCSEs this summer."
Kim Drake, service director for children's social care at Bournemouth borough council, said: "We have set up a counselling service at the school to offer pupils, staff and parents support following this tragic incident and we are currently working with both the school and the police with their investigation."Kim Drake, service director for children's social care at Bournemouth borough council, said: "We have set up a counselling service at the school to offer pupils, staff and parents support following this tragic incident and we are currently working with both the school and the police with their investigation."
Kyle had recently been accepted on to a college engineering course.Kyle had recently been accepted on to a college engineering course.