Heartfelt tributes have poured in for a Coatbridge schoolboy who died following an incident at a train station in Glasgow on Saturday afternoon.
Justin McLaughlin, 14, was found seriously injured at High Street station and was taken to the city’s Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, where he was pronounced dead a short time later.
A 16-year-old male has been arrested in connection with his death.
Police said today: “Enquiries remain ongoing following the arrest”; and are appealing for anyone with information to submit this by phone or online.
Now two online fundraising pages in support of his devastated family, have each raised more than £5000 in less than a day - “to help give Justin the best send-off he deserves”.
His aunt, Maggie McLaughlin, wrote on a fundraising page: “We are absolutely heartbroken, I’m lost for words. This has come as a shock to all our friends and family, Justin’s friends, everyone who knew him.
“Fly high my precious nephew, the biggest gentle giant with a smile that would take up the full world. You’re going to be missed so much, I will love you forever and ever.”
A second fundraiser set up by a family friend paid tribute to Justin as “a happy, kind and loving boy who had his whole life ahead of him”, adding: “Let’s show how much Justin was loved by his friends, family and local community.”
The teenager was a pupil at St Ambrose High in Coatbridge, where classmates had a special assembly as they returned to school today and where counselling and ongoing support has been made available to youngsters.
Head teacher James McParland said: “The community of St Ambrose High is shocked and saddened by the death of Justin McLaughlin.
“Justin was a valued member of our community and his loss will be felt by staff and pupils alike. Our prayers and thoughts are with his family and friends.
“Additional pastoral support is available to young people in the school.”
Bishop of Motherwell Joseph Toal posted an online message of the diocese’s “sorrow on hearing of the tragic death of Justin McLaughlin – may he rest in peace.
“Our thoughts and prayers are very much with his family and friends, and the community of St Ambrose High, in their pain and grief.”
Dozens of tributes to Justin from loved ones and community members have been posted across social media since the news of his death on Saturday, while Coatbridge politicians Fulton MacGregor MSP and Steven Bonnar MP called the tragedy “devastating”.
Mr Bonnar said: “A young man who attended school in Coatbridge; a young life taken far too soon.
"My thoughts are with his family and friends at this very difficult time”.
Constituency colleague Mr MacGregor added: “Truly tragic news.
"My thoughts and prayers are with Justin’s family, his loved ones, and all within the St Ambrose community.”
Among those supporting the online fundraiser were football team Baillieston Thistle 07s, who posted: “Everyone at [the team] would like to pass on our deepest sympathy to Justin’s family.
“Justin was friends with a few boys from our team since primary school. It’s absolutely heart breaking that this 14-year-old boy is no longer with us. Rest in peace.”
Senior investigating officer DCI Brian Geddes, of Police Scotland’s major investigation team, said: “Our thoughts very much remain with Justin’s family and friends.
“His family have asked for their privacy to be respected at this very difficult time, and they are being supported by specialist officers.”
Police say: “Members of the public can still submit information via an online portal”, which sees information sent directly to the incident teams based at the Scottish crime campus in Gartcosh.
The online form can be accessed online and Police Scotland can also be contacted by calling 101 and quoting incident number 2280 of October 16.
British Transport Police can also be contacted by texting 61016 or calling 0800 40 50 40, quoting reference 394 of October 16, and Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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