Tributes paid as Bridgnorth boy, 13, found dead at home is named
Tributes were today paid to a 13-year-old Bridgnorth boy who died suddenly at his home. He has been named as Matthew Lawer.
Matthew, a pupil at Oldbury Wells School in the town, suffered a cardiac arrest at his home. Police said his death was not suspicious.
Oldbury Wells headteacher Sarah Godden described Matthew as a popular student as she led tributes to him.
"This is a very sad time for us all, especially for Matthew's family and friends," she said.
"Matthew was a wonderful young man and a much loved member of our school.
"He will be remembered very fondly as a good friend, a great sportsman and very able student.
"We are all deeply saddened to hear this news and he will be much missed.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with Matthew's family and we ask that people respect their privacy at this difficult time."
Pupils at the school are believed to have been offered support if needed.
Sympathy has also been given by Bridgnorth's other high school, Bridgnorth Endowed.
Its headteacher Phil Loveday said everyone was "saddened" by the death.
Matthew died in the early hours of Sunday after an emergency call was made from his home. West Midlands Ambulance Service said its staff received a 999 call at about 12.30am.
It sent an ambulance, paramedic area support officer and a responder paramedic.
Spokeswoman Claire Brown said: "Sadly, when ambulance staff arrived nothing could be done to save the boy and he was confirmed dead on scene."
Matthew was a cub and scout in Bridgnorth for a number of years before leaving to join the town's air cadets.
Trevor Padget, a former scout leader, said he was a popular and very likeable boy.
He said: "I knew him up until a year or two ago, he was in the cubs. From the time he was eight until about 12 he was in the cubs before he went to join the air cadets.
"He was a really lovely boy, polite, outgoing, he took pride in everything."
Friends have taken to social media to pay tribute to Matthew and messages have also been left by people in Bridgnorth.
Karl Thompson said: "A tragic event. I knew the boy and my thoughts go out to his family.
"Words cannot begin to express my sympathy or even begin to understand what the family must be going through. Rest in peace, my friend."
Anna Butler added: "This is so sad. What an absolute waste of a precious life. My heart goes out to the family at this awful time."
West Mercia Police officers are helping the family.
Shropshire's coroner has been informed and an inquest is likely to open and be adjourned in the next few days ahead of a full hearing next year.
