Tributes to boy, 15, killed after being knocked from bike on B1230 Hull Road

TRIBUTES have been paid to a schoolboy who was killed when he was knocked from his bike by a car.

Sam Brown, 15, died in hospital after he was hit by a car while travelling home from seeing friends.

Another 15-year-old boy who was with Sam when the accident happened on Thursday night is being treated in hospital for broken bones.

A 67-year-old woman who was driving the Audi A4 that hit Sam has been arrested.

The accident happened as the boys travelled along the B1230 Hull Road from Howden to their homes in Gilberdyke.

Sam's fellow pupils at Howden School and Technology College have been offered grief counselling after being told of his death in special assemblies yesterday.

Head Garry Garghan said: "Sam will be remembered by everyone as a happy-go-lucky, friendly character who was known by all.

"He will be much missed by all the students and staff.

"Sam was a very popular student and was always seen around the school with a smile on his face and would give a friendly word to staff and students alike.

"He will be remembered as a loyal and caring friend."

Sam had returned to school on Tuesday for the last year of his studies.

Mr Garghan said: "I had only seen him a couple of days ago when we returned to school.

"We were just getting on with the first week back at school, everybody was feeling good, and then there is a tragedy like this.

"This is a small rural community and everybody at the school is part of what we call Team Howden. We are a family and now a member of our family has died.

"What has happened is such a tragedy and is so incredibly sad.

"We have had grief counsellors in the school for any staff member or student who feels they need to talk, which some have taken advantage of."

Mr Garghan said Sam particularly enjoyed practical work and had recently undertaken work experience at Howdens Joinery.

He had also been residential course at Askham Bryan College as part of prize he won for his contribution to a science and engineering day at the school.

East Riding councillor Paul Robinson, who represents the Howdenshire ward, said villagers in Gilberdyke were shocked to hear of Sam's death. He said: "It is such a tragedy.

"Sam was never backwards in coming forwards and we would often say hello to each other in the village. I would often come across him and his friends on their bikes

"He was very funny and he had a cheeky, naughty streak.

"His death will be a loss to many, particularly his family and wide circle of friends. Everybody in the village is incredibly shocked."

Flowers have been left at the spot where the accident happened, close to the Rose and Crown pub in Eastrington.

Landlord Bob Stevens said he saw paramedics trying to help Sam after the accident at 8.50pm.

He said: "I went outside and could see the blue flashing lights.

"I could see an ambulance and that they were trying to revive the boy by the roadside. It is just tragic."

Friends have also paid tribute to Sam on Facebook and Twitter.

Writing on Facebook, Scott Redford said: "R.I.P Sam Brown, you were a nice guy and a legend, we'll all miss you mate."

Will Hardcastle said: "Just heard about Sam Brown, Mike and I used to coach him when we looked after Gilberdyke under-8s and 9s.

"He was a lovely little lad then and I'm sure not much had changed. Deepest sympathy to his family and friends. Life is cruel sometimes."

A Humberside Police spokeswoman said: "The boys were cycling from Howden towards Gilberdyke on the eastbound carriageway when a collision occurred between a dark grey Audi A4 and the bicycle of the deceased."

She said officers want to speak to anyone who saw the boys or the Audi on the B1230 between 8pm and 9pm on Thursday.

Anyone who saw them, or the accident, should call police on 101, quoting log 693 of September 6.

At the time of going to press, the driver remained in custody.