Pupils have cancelled their Christmas celebrations after a 15-year-old boy died following a ‘tragic incident’ at school.
Anton Michael attended the Nicholson Institute in Stornoway on the remote Scottish island, Isle of Lewis.
Emergency services were called to the secondary school at 2.30pm on Tuesday and the teenager was transferred to the Western Isles Hospital where he later died.
Heartbroken pupils at the school on the remote island have since postponed their Christmas dance to mourn their former classmate.
Anton Michael attended the Nicholson Institute in Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis (pictured)
The festive event was due to take place before the school breaks up for the Christmas period next week and it will now take place early next year.
Police are not treating the incident as suspicious and said a report would be sent to the procurator fiscal.
Western Isles Council said the school fully supports the students’ gesture.
A council spokesman said: ‘The decision was made by pupils themselves and they are to be commended for their thoughtful and respectful actions.
‘Other Christmas events are also being cancelled out of respect.’
Tributes have been paid to the boy, from Great Bernera, and parents vented their anger after the school opened ‘as if it’s business as usual’.
Flowers were placed by heartbroken pupils in the school’s churchyard and one pupil wrote online: ‘The tragic death of Anton Michael will always be one of most or the most awful thing that has occurred in the Nicolson Institute.’
Western Isles local authority, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, said it was ‘a tragic incident.’
Frances Murray, the rector of the Nicolson Institure, Stornoway, said in a statement: ‘This is a tragic incident.
‘Anton was a lovely young man who was well regarded by staff and pupils and made a very positive contribution to the school.
‘His death is affecting the entire school community. Our thoughts at this time are with Anton’s parents, family and friends.
The teenager was transferred to the Western Isles Hospital (pictured) where he later died
‘We appreciate the support provided by all the emergency services yesterday. They did all they could, but unfortunately could not save Anton’s life.
‘With assistance from the Comhairle, we have put in place appropriate support and counselling services for all staff and pupils and a confidential 24 hour helpline service is available for anyone affected by Anton’s passing – 01851 705600.
‘We are grateful to all those who have contacted the school to express their sympathies. We would ask the media to continue to respect the sensitivity of the situation.’
A police spokesman said: ‘Police Scotland attended the Nicolson Institute in Stornoway shortly after 14:30 on Tuesday following concern for a 15-year-old male.
‘He was conveyed to Western Isles Hospital where he has since died.
‘There are no suspicious circumstances and as with all sudden deaths a report will be submitted to the procurator fiscal.’
The council said ‘appropriate support mechanisms’ would be put in place for staff and pupils. It also expressed its sympathy to the dead youngster’s family.
- For confidential support call the Samaritans on 116123 or visit a local Samaritans branch, see www.samaritans.org for details.