TRAGIC schoolboy Kyle Rees will be laid to rest this week.

Kyle, 16, died in hospital the day after he was hit on the side of the head by an indoor practice cricket ball at Portchester School, Bournemouth, at the end of February.

A 16-year-old boy was initially arrested on suspicion of manslaughter, but later released without charge after police confirmed that the incident was a “tragic accident”.

Kyle’s funeral will be held at 11am on Friday at St Andrew’s Church, Bennett Road, Charminster, near where Kyle lived with his mother, Tanya Cooper.

It will be followed by a private committal at Bournemouth Crematorium.

Kyle’s family and the school’s community were left in shock after his death.

Tributes mounted up outside the school and Kyle’s mum and dad, John, both later paid tribute to their son.

Following Kyle’s death, John said: “He was so loved by everyone and he was such a special boy. Words are not enough to describe how desperately he will be missed. Kyle will always be in our hearts forever.”

Tanya said in a statement: “Words cannot be found to explain how much he loved us or how much love we have for him.

“Our lives will always be emptier without Kyle.

“His energy, laughter, jokes, dancing and his smiles, kisses and cuddles will be eternally missed by us all.”

Family flowers only have been requested, but donations are welcome, made payable to “The Paediatric Intensive Care Unit”, via George Scott Funeral Services, 15 Somerset Road, Boscombe, BH7 6JH.