COMMUNITY IN SHOCK AS 12-YEAR-OLD NAMED (From Bournemouth Echo)

COMMUNITY IN SHOCK AS 12-YEAR-OLD NAMED

2:50pm Wednesday 1st October 2008 in

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THE schoolboy killed in the New Forest on Tuesday has been named.

Twelve-year-old Aarron John Keeping, died when his pedal cycle was in collision with a blue Ford Focus at the junction of Ringwood Road and Burley Road, Bransgore.

Aarron, of Burnt House Lane, Bransgore, was taken to the Royal Bournemouth Hospital where he later died as a result of his injuries. The driver of the car, a 25-year-old man, was shaken but uninjured.

He was arrested on suspicion of causing death by careless driving and bailed until December.

Floral tributes have been placed at the scene of the crash on Ringwood Road outside the Crown pub.

At Ringwood School, where Aaron was a pupil, head teacher Christine Edwards told his year eight group of the tragedy.

Earlier she had brought together members of staff and explained what had happened to them.

The head said described his death as "an absolute tragedy".

"We have set up a garden of reflection area in the school so that anyone who wanted to leave a message could come and say what they felt if they wanted," she said.

Two counsellors - one a teacher and the other brought in - had been at the school throughout the day on Tuesday to help friends and acquaintances of Aaron to deal with his death.

She said the news had been received with "absolutely total shock".

"For a young man of 12 years of age to lose his life in such circumstances will always be a shock to a school community.

"Our thoughts and good wishes are with his family at this difficult time."

Some local residents called for traffic lights, speed humps or a 30mph limit at the scene, claiming there had been several accidents in the vicinity during recent years.

Sergeant Phil Lamb from the Totton Roads Policing said: "Our thoughts are with Aarron's family at this sad and difficult time.

"I'm appealing for anyone who witnessed this collision to contact me as a matter of urgency so we can piece together a better picture of what happened."

The accident happened around 4.30pm on Tuesday.

• Anyone with information is asked to contact Sgt Lamb at the Totton Roads Policing Unit quoting Operation Parfold on 0845 045 45 45 or the Crimestoppers charity anonymously on 0800 555 111.