A 12-year-old boy has died after a touchline barrier post hit him in the head while he watched a football game.
Oliver Croker was injured when the post was accidentally uprooted by two players.
The youngster, known as Olly, was airlifted to the Royal Devon and Exeter hospital after the incident at Bradninch football club in Devon on Saturday before being transferred to Bristol Children’s hospital where he later died.
The incident happened at a senior match between Bampton and home team Bradninch FC at their Kensham Park ground.
A witness, who asked not to be named, said two players crashed into the barrier that had been put up earlier in the day for youth football.
In a post on a Facebook page set up for people to pay tribute to the 12-year-old his mother, Pippa Croker, revealed that some of his organs had been donated to help others.
She wrote: “We would very much like you all to feel so proud of Oliver this evening, through organ donation he has given life to to 5 other children. He will live on in them. What very lucky boys and girls they are!!! Love you our beautiful gorgeous boy!!”
One of the boy’s former teachers, Amy Johnson, said: “I had the great privilege of getting to know Oliver … and today is a sad day but my heart is full of admiration knowing he’s helped other people live. Thank you for always making me laugh, it’s time to grow your wings and fly.”
A poster on Facebook, Caroline Denscombe, wrote: “What an amazing thing you have done to give the gift of life to five children. My admiration for you all as a family is immense. I can’t begin to imagine how hard a decision it must have been.”
Shelley Bristow added: “Thank you for making me laugh so many times, thank you for the cuddles and pictures you drew...thank you for your big smile and those big brown eyes that are forever in my heart.”
His school, Tiverton High, paid tribute to Olly, himself a talented sportsman, as “the life and soul of the party”. In a statement, it described him as “a larger than life character, brimming with confidence, with an eagerness and enthusiasm for taking part in all aspects of school life. His youthful vibrancy and curiosity about life shaped his whole character.”
It continued: “He was a very knowledgeable and sparky lad with his finger on the pulse of what was going on at school, in the local community and beyond. He was multi-talented and we had high hopes for his future. Olly was a keen sportsman and represented THS at rugby and even played up an age group. Our thoughts and wishes are with Olly’s parents and brothers.”
Devon and Cornwall police confirmed on Tuesday that Olly had died. In a statement, they said: “We can confirm a 12-year-old boy who sustained serious head injuries whilst spectating at a football match at Bradninch football club on Saturday 12 September has died overnight.
“Our sympathy and thoughts are with the family.”
Bradninch Town FC also expressed its condolences.
Everyone at Bradninch Town FC would like to give our sincere condolences to the family of little Oliver who has tragically passed away.
— Bradninch Town FC (@BradninchTownFC) September 14, 2015
In a statement, Bradninch FC said: “As many will have heard a freak accident took place at Kensham Park at the end of a football match between Bradninch and Bampton. All at Bradninch are absolutely shocked and devastated by this tragic accident and our thoughts and heartfelt condolences go out to the family and friends of Oliver.”
Paul Morrison, the chief executive of the Devon FA, said he would not comment on the circumstances surrounding the incident until the police have carried out their inquires.
“We have only just found out and it is a shock to all of us,” he said.
“Our thoughts are with the lad’s poor family – this is such a tragic accident. We were informed by the police that something had happened and that it was under investigation. I don’t know the full details of what happened so it would not be right to comment any further in the meantime.”
