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Ramsgate schoolboy Cameron Tidey, 13, dies after plunging 20ft through roof of former Rank Hovis flour mill

Tragic Cameron Tidey fell 20ft through a roof
Tragic Cameron Tidey fell 20ft through a roof

A 13-year-old boy who fell 20ft through the roof of an abandoned flour mill has died in hospital.

Tragic Cameron Tidey passed away after his life support machine was switched off.

He was left critically ill after plunging into the former Rank Hovis factory in Ramsgate on Tuesday afternoon.

Tragically, it is thought he had climbed onto the roof in an attempt to retreive a football.

Thousands of people have joined several Facebook pages paying tribute to Cameron, a pupil at the Ellington and Hereson School, in Newlands Lane, Ramsgate.

Fellow pupils broke down when they were told the news and more than 3,000 people have joined a group called R.I.P Cameron Tidey.

Head teacher Simon Pullen today described Cameron as a "bright, hard-working" pupil who was "full of the joys of life".

Emergency services at the scene of a former Ramsgate flour mill after a boy fell through the roof. Picture: Mike Pett
Emergency services at the scene of a former Ramsgate flour mill after a boy fell through the roof. Picture: Mike Pett

Dozens of flowers, cards and teddy bears with touching messages to Cameron have today been left at the spot where he fell onto concrete.

One said: "You were such a sweet boy. You will always be in our thoughts.

"Such an impact on lots of people's lives. My heart goes out to your family. Gonna miss your cute smile."

A message on one Facebook group said: "Cam you're now up in heaven safe with the angels looking down on us from above.

"It's so tragic! Yesterday I saw you laughing, smiling and loving life it's so hard to think that since then you've passed away."

Floral tributes honour Cameron Tidey at the spot where he fell from a roof in Ramsgate. Picture: Mike Pett
Floral tributes honour Cameron Tidey at the spot where he fell from a roof in Ramsgate. Picture: Mike Pett

Tributes described Cameron as a "great guy" who will be remembered for his "cheeky smile"

Friend Chelsea Cordell said: "We will never forget you, we all love you, we will see you above us in heaven smiling down."

Hannah Geehaitch posted: "Bless you, my heart goes out to you x gone too soon, another star shining bright, xx."

And Lauren Holland said: "A tragic accident. He was retrieving a football and fell through a roof of a derelict building. My thoughts are with all the family at this sad time."

A young boy was airlifted to hospital after falling through the roof of a former mill. Picture: Mike Pett
A young boy was airlifted to hospital after falling through the roof of a former mill. Picture: Mike Pett

Cameron's head teacher Simon Pullen said: "For everyone involved our thoughts go out to his family. It's a terrible tragedy to affect a small school community.

"Cameron was a bright, hard-working popular member of our school community. He excelled at art, was a keen sportsman, was highly respected by staff, students and he will be greatly, greatly missed here.

"He was a lovely Year 8 boy who was full of the joys of life."

Head teacher Simon Pullen pays tribute to tragic Cameron Tidey

Mr Pullen said pupils would be offered counselling to help them grieve with the loss.

He added: "We're working very closely with the psychology services and we've had great support from Kent County Council to provide counselling and support to help all of our community work through the grieving process.

"One of those things I'm sure will be ways to commemorate and have tributes to Cameron.

"We will work with the family and talk through with them about what would be best and what would be appropriate in the fullness of time."

Floral tributes left for Cameron Tidey outside the former Rank Hovis factory in Ramsgate. Picture: Mike Pett
Floral tributes left for Cameron Tidey outside the former Rank Hovis factory in Ramsgate. Picture: Mike Pett

Emergency services were called to the scene, in Margate Road, at about 4.15pm on Tuesday.

Cameron was rescued by firefighters and given CPR at the scene.

He was then treated by paramedics before being airlifted to the Royal London Hospital.

The youngster had suffered severe head and chest injuries, a spokesman for the Kent Air Ambulance said.

Around 10 firefighters had been called to the rescue and remained at the scene until around 6pm.

The Kent Air Ambulance
The Kent Air Ambulance

Kent Fire and Rescue Service said Cameron had fallen about 20ft.

A spokesman said: "Firefighters gained entry to the building and gave CPR to the youngster before he was given further treatment by paramedics and then transferred to the air ambulance."

Kent Police said officers were investigating why Cameron was at the scene and on the roof.

The mill has been disused since it was sold by Rank Hovis around a decade ago.

Thanet District Council said a planning application had recently been submitted to the authority for the redevelopment of the site.

One of several Facebook tribute pages to Cameron Tidey
One of several Facebook tribute pages to Cameron Tidey

Did you know Cameron Tidey? Leave your tributes below.

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