Schoolboy who died after ‘tripping on pavement’ in Mirfield is named

Pictured: James Hick, 14, who died after ‘tripping up on his way to school’ in Mirfield, West Yorkshire yesterday 

First pictures have emerged of the schoolboy who died after reportedly tripping on the pavement because he was late for school.

The 14-year-old has been named locally as James Hick.   

Police cordoned off the street where he was found ‘pouring with blood’ in Mirfield, West Yorkshire at around 8.30am yesterday.

Neighbours tried to save the Mirfield Free Grammar pupil before he was taken to hospital, but officers later confirmed he had died of his injuries.  

Floral tributes appeared at the scene today, where mourners paid emotional tributes to the football-mad teenager.

Speaking through tears, his grandfather Harold Hick described the youngster as a ‘shining light’.  

The 73-year-old said: ‘All I would like to say is that he was a shining light. It has taken the feet from right under me.

‘James was a fun loving child, he was very popular. He went to Mirfield Free Grammar and had been walking with friends.

‘I don’t know exactly what happened, it is a void that none of us know at this time.

‘He was not just a grandson to me, he was a mate.’ 

He revealed he had to break the devastating news to the teenager’s four younger brothers.

Harold Hick, 73, James's grandfather, is pictured paying tribute to him where he was fatally injured in Mirfield yesterday 

Harold Hick, 73, James’s grandfather, is pictured paying tribute to him where he was fatally injured in Mirfield yesterday 

Mr Hick added that the news of James’ death has ‘blitzed the family’.

Visibily upset, he said: ‘His brothers obviously know what is happening now.

‘I came round here last night and we walked round and saw the three bunches of flowers there. It is a tremendous tribute.’ 

A heartfelt note written by James’s father appeared at the scene this afternoon.  

The montage of tributes, which include what appears to be a family photograph, also features three typed poems titled ‘Son’, ‘Brother’ and ‘Thinking of you on the day you went away’.

One handwritten tribute, which appears to be written by James’ father, reads: ‘James. Son, brother, grandson, nephew, friend to so many.

‘Talented at Crown Green Bowling, Football, Rugby, a shining light in everything you did and a great role model to your 4 brothers.

‘I hope you know how much you were loved by all of us, you were a teenager so affection wasn’t always easy and I was so looking forward to seeing you develop into a great man and son.

‘Miss you and love you always, Dad.’ 

His aunt Jacqueline, who lives less than half a mile away from the scene, paid tribute to those who tried to save her nephew’s life.

She said: ‘The family would all like to thank anyone who helped James and especially a woman who we believe performed CPR on him. Please let everyone know how thankful we are.’

Several youngsters went to buy flowers and lay them at the scene before school this morning. One tribute said: ‘RIP James. You are still in our memories.’

Another read: ‘To James and his family, he will always be in our thoughts and memories and we will always remember you James.

One person wrote: ‘Fly high brother. ‘You may not be in our lives but you’re still in our hearts. You’ll never be forgotten. RIP James.’ 

Young James (pictured second right) is believed to have played football for local team Battyeford Sporting Club

Young James (pictured second right) is believed to have played football for local team Battyeford Sporting Club

The youngster is believed to have played football for local team Battyeford Sporting Club and played bowls at county level. 

Junior Rep Andy Grason said: ‘We understand the family have asked for some space and privacy at the moment.

‘As a club we will, at the right time, pay our respects. Suffice to say that all the club are very saddened by yesterday’s sad news.’ 

Mirfield Free Grammar has also released a statement expressing their condolences today, which reads: ‘The staff, students and Governors of The MFG are deeply saddened by the loss of one of our students. 

‘James was a wonderful, much loved young man, who had many friends. 

Floral tributes appeared at the scene in Mirfield today, where mourners paid emotional tributes to football-mad teenager James Hick 

Floral tributes appeared at the scene in Mirfield today, where mourners paid emotional tributes to football-mad teenager James Hick 

‘Our deepest sympathy and heartfelt condolences are with his family and friends at this incredibly difficult time.’ 

He was also due to sit exams on Wednesday, which Mr Hick claims the school has cancelled as a mark of respect. 

Members of the public made valiant efforts to save James before the emergency services arrived, a local mother revealed yesterday. 

Neighbours feared he was rushing to get to school when he lost his footing and hit his head on the pavement. 

Concerned locals noticed he was unconscious and began to administer CPR before shouting ‘he hasn’t got a pulse’. 

Officers arrived at the scene at 8.30am and one eyewitness said the bloodied schoolboy was taken to hospital in an ambulance. 

Pictured: Floral tributes are placed at the scene of the tragedy in Mirfield, West Yorkshire 

Pictured: Floral tributes are placed at the scene of the tragedy in Mirfield, West Yorkshire 

Margaret Burton was one of those who gave James first aid. She said: ‘We were taking my son to college and I was going to work and I saw a group of lads and at first I thought there was fighting but then as I got closer I could see it was a boy on the pavement with an adult around him.

‘I said to my husband ‘let’s pull up and see if we can help’.

‘As I got to the boy it was obvious he wasn’t breathing.

‘I started doing CPR and there was a lady on the phone to the ambulance service who told us what to do.’ 

Neighbour Janine Robertson, 61, a retired doctors receptionist, yesterday said: ‘We were told that a pupil from Mirfield Free Grammar had fallen and knocked his head on the kerb.

‘He was found unconscious and someone fetched the defibrillator from St Andrew’s Church.

Locals are pictured placing flowers at the scene where 14-year-old James Hick was fatally injured yesterday 

Locals are pictured placing flowers at the scene where 14-year-old James Hick was fatally injured yesterday 

‘It was cordoned off most of the day. There were police cars, ambulances, lots of people stood around watching.

‘My neighbour said she had opened her curtains and had seen someone laid on the floor, a boy in school uniform.

‘A lady was apparently giving him CPR and said that he was unresponsive, she shouted out I can’t get a pulse.

‘It has been a shock for everyone to be honest. At first we thought he might have been running because he was late for school.’ 

James has been described as a 'shining light' by his grandfather Harold, who was joined by other mourners at the scene today 

James has been described as a ‘shining light’ by his grandfather Harold, who was joined by other mourners at the scene today 

Angelina Nicholson, who lives nearby, said: ‘I just opened the curtain and the boy was laid on the floor. 

‘There was no movement at all and the lady was knelt down over him, a very good lady doing CPR.

‘He was bleeding, she had blood on her face. There was just no movement whatsoever. 

‘Right up until they took him in the ambulance, there was still no movement. There was a lot of police supporting him and then I think his mum did appear.

‘He looked about 14 to 16-years-old in an MFG [Mirfield Free Grammar] uniform. There were two other boys there, I don’t know if they were his friends.

‘One of them looked really sad and upset. They both looked in shock to be honest.’ 

Officers cordoned off the road (pictured) in Mirfield, West Yorkshire, after James was found injured on the way to school yesterday 

Officers cordoned off the road (pictured) in Mirfield, West Yorkshire, after James was found injured on the way to school yesterday 

Detective Inspector Shaf Rehman of Kirklees CID, announced late on Wednesday: ‘We can now confirm that the 14-year-old boy who was found in a serious condition this morning has died.

‘Officers are supporting the family at this difficult time and our enquiries into the incident remain ongoing.

‘At this stage we are treating the death as unexplained but do not currently believe there to be any suspicious circumstances. A post mortem is due to take place.’ 

A West Yorkshire Police spokesperson had said earlier: ‘Police were called at 8:47 to reports of a concern for safety.

‘Ambulance and police attended on Southway in Mirfield, where a boy was found with serious injuries.

‘The 14-year-old was taken to hospital for medical treatment. Enquiries are ongoing to establish the circumstances.’  

An Adidas bag and paramedic kit were found at the scene near where the boy, named locally as James Hick, was treated

An Adidas bag and paramedic kit were found at the scene near where the boy, named locally as James Hick, was treated



Read more at DailyMail.co.uk