Tragic death of boy on school trip

Last updated 17 Nov 2008 14:09 Comments 1 Comment

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FRIENDS of a teenager who drowned on a school trip to Wales have been paying their respects this morning.

Maiden Erlegh pupil Stewart McEwan, 13, died on Saturday at 3pm in a canoeing accident during a week-long organised holiday to Tirabad in Powys.

Headteacher Peter Thomas said that the promising goalkeeper had 'begun to live his dream' after being signed by Reading FC earlier this year.

Stewart was brought from the River Usk, about a mile east of Brecon, by the police and the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service - which sent a rescue boat from Hay-on-Wye - and airlifted to hospital in Hereford, but he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Maiden Erlegh headteacher Peter Thomas said: "The school is still in a state of shock. We would like to express our deepest sympathy to Stewart's family and friends who are in our thoughts and prayers at this awful time.

"Stewart was a key member of all our sports teams and was always willing to sacrifice his time in order to realise his dream of becoming a professional footballer.

"All this hard work was rewarded when he was signed, a few months ago, for Reading Football Club. From this moment, Stewart had begun to live his dream. Stewart was a pupil who savoured every waking moment and relished all of life challenges.

"We have held a special assembly to honour the memory of Stewart and to share our feelings of grief for the loss of a member of our school.

"Everything possible is being done in the school to provide pastoral support and bereavement counselling for any pupil or member of staff who is distressed."

Stewart lived in Loxwood, Earley, and in a statement his parents said: "We are devastated by the loss of Stewart. He was a boy who grabbed life. He loved his sport and there wasn't anything he didn't enjoy."

Dyfed-Powys Police have taped off areas of the River Usk near Brecon in Powys, south Wales, while they investigate the accident, but confirmed yesterday that Stewart had been in the water.

The Tirabad Centre for outdoor pursuits is jointly owned by Maiden Erlegh, Emmbrook school in Wokingham and The Charters in Sunningdale, and the other year nine pupils on the trip returned home yesterday.

Stewart, who was on the trip to Tirabad with the school rugby and hockey teams, was signed as a goalkeeper by Reading FC in August, and the club is discussing a tribute to him at the first team game against Southampton on Saturday.

Royals Academy manager Eamonn Dolan said: "It was late August 2008 when the potential of Stewart was deliberated within an Academy staff meeting. This meeting was memorable for the fact that some staff members were unusually strong in their declaration that the previously 'borderline' young goalkeeper should be signed.

"I am really glad we made that decision because it was obvious from his first day as a signed boy that he was going to grasp this opportunity with the same spirit and verve that seemingly epitomised every aspect of his life.

"Stewart displayed a wonderful pride, dedication and dignity every time he played for his club. He was always a credit to himself, his family and to Reading Football Club. His mum would beam with pride as she watched him training."

Club chairman John Madejski added: "This is devastating news and our sincere condolences go to Stewart's family, who we will of course try to support in any possible way."

His parents added: "We were very proud of all his sport achievements, particularly when he was signed by Reading FC this year and would like to thank the coaching staff at Reading Academy for their kindness and support."

Maiden Erlegh parent Clive Rudman said his daughter had been on a school trip to Tirabad last year, and added: "It certainly ticked all the health and safety boxes as far as I was concerned, they are really rigorous. She thoroughly enjoyed it, it was very character-building and she came back full of confidence."

This article appeared in Reading Chronicle 01 Jan 70

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