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| School minibus crash: Maesteg pupils' tribute to Ashley Talbot | School minibus crash: Maesteg pupils' tribute to Ashley Talbot |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| Classmates of a 15-year-old pupil who died following a crash at a school have paid tribute to their "good friend". | |
| Ashley Daniel Talbot was struck by a minibus, which was on its way to a rugby game, at Maesteg School in Bridgend county. | |
| Another pupil, 13, was injured and police are investigating the incident. | Another pupil, 13, was injured and police are investigating the incident. |
| PE teacher Chris Brooks, who was driving the minibus, said: "All my thoughts, wishes and prayers are with Ashley's family." | |
| Ashley's classmates wrote a touching tribute which was read out by Keith Edwards, chair of governors at the school, on Thursday. | Ashley's classmates wrote a touching tribute which was read out by Keith Edwards, chair of governors at the school, on Thursday. |
| They paid tribute to his "bubbly" and "infectious" personality and said the gap that Ashley leaves can never be filled. | They paid tribute to his "bubbly" and "infectious" personality and said the gap that Ashley leaves can never be filled. |
| South Wales Police officers were at the school to speak to witnesses before lessons began on Thursday. | South Wales Police officers were at the school to speak to witnesses before lessons began on Thursday. |
| The school said it was co-operating with the police investigation and the Health and Safety Executive had been informed. | The school said it was co-operating with the police investigation and the Health and Safety Executive had been informed. |
| Head teacher Anne Carhart said the tragedy had rocked the school, and a crisis team of counsellors, educational psychologists and youth workers were helping pupils. | |
| In a statement, she said: "The loss of a pupil is always a sad affair, but especially so when it involves such sudden and tragic circumstances. | In a statement, she said: "The loss of a pupil is always a sad affair, but especially so when it involves such sudden and tragic circumstances. |
| "Ashley Talbot was a popular child with lots of friends. | "Ashley Talbot was a popular child with lots of friends. |
| "Maesteg Comprehensive School has always been a strong, close-knit community, and pupils, teachers, staff and governors are all supporting one another in the wake of yesterday's tragic accident. | "Maesteg Comprehensive School has always been a strong, close-knit community, and pupils, teachers, staff and governors are all supporting one another in the wake of yesterday's tragic accident. |
| "As ever, the welfare and well-being of our pupils remains our primary concern, and a range of support services have been put in place to ensure that their needs are being met." | "As ever, the welfare and well-being of our pupils remains our primary concern, and a range of support services have been put in place to ensure that their needs are being met." |
| Mr Edwards said a member of staff was driving the minibus and was heading for a rugby match when the crash happened. | Mr Edwards said a member of staff was driving the minibus and was heading for a rugby match when the crash happened. |
| Calling the incident a "deep tragedy", MP for Ogmore Huw Irranca-Davies said on Thursday it was "doubly tragic that someone so young has been snatched away". | Calling the incident a "deep tragedy", MP for Ogmore Huw Irranca-Davies said on Thursday it was "doubly tragic that someone so young has been snatched away". |
| He added: "It's hard to imagine the deep grieving of the family of this young man. It's going to take a lot to get through this." | He added: "It's hard to imagine the deep grieving of the family of this young man. It's going to take a lot to get through this." |
| Director of education for Bridgend council, Deborah McMillan said: "We're going to try and make the day as normal as possible but also provide some space for children who need some time out." | Director of education for Bridgend council, Deborah McMillan said: "We're going to try and make the day as normal as possible but also provide some space for children who need some time out." |
| Ashley's family are being supported by specially trained officers, police said. | Ashley's family are being supported by specially trained officers, police said. |
| Statement from classmates: | Statement from classmates: |
| "The gap that Ashley leaves can never be filled. Every morning Ashley would make us smile; his bubbly personality was infectious. | "The gap that Ashley leaves can never be filled. Every morning Ashley would make us smile; his bubbly personality was infectious. |
| "Ashley was so carefree and would always make us laugh. He was always good company and such a good friend to everyone who knew him. | "Ashley was so carefree and would always make us laugh. He was always good company and such a good friend to everyone who knew him. |
| "He was passionate about his motorbike and fixing cars. Ashley always looked for the good in everyone. | "He was passionate about his motorbike and fixing cars. Ashley always looked for the good in everyone. |
| "He will always be in our hearts. He will never be forgotten." | "He will always be in our hearts. He will never be forgotten." |