Boy killed in bike tragedy

A 14-YEAR-OLD boy died after being knocked off his bike by a driver who then sped off.

Medics fought to save Sitting-bourne Community College pupil Kyle Coen after the incident at 9.15pm on Monday.

But their efforts were in vain and the popular teenager was pronounced dead at the scene, outside Bapchild Cricket Club.

A grey Fiat Bravo, believed to have been the car involved, was later recovered nearby by police.
As the Sittingbourne News Extra went to press, a 27-year-old woman
and a man of 23 were helping detectives with their inquiries.

It is believed Kyle was cycling to see his girlfriend in Teynham at the time.

Speaking at the scene yesterday, Linda Stock, whose son Alex, 14, was Kyle's best friend, said: "He was a very gentle, good lad, never been in any trouble. I feel so much for his family. My heart and prayers go out to them. It's such a tragedy."

Tributes have been paid to a popular teenager who died after being knocked off his bike by a motorist who then drove off.

SITTINGBOURNE Community College pupil Kyle Coen died on Monday night after the incident on the A2 outside Bapchild Cricket Club.

Linda Stock, who lives in the village, said her son Alex, also 14, was Kyle's best friend.

She added: "They've been inseparable since they broke up from school. They had so many plans.

"Alex was with Kyle all yesterday (Monday). They'd had such a lovely day. They'd been into Faversham to look in the bike shop.

"They were at our house then went to Alex's grandfather's and dug the pond out with him. They had been laughing and joking.

"Kyle was going to see his girlfriend and was on his way. It was just sheer luck he was not with him." Linda said the boys loved their BMXs and spent hours working on their bikes.

Commenting on the hit and run, she said: "I really do not understand. There's just no sense to it.

"You would just stop and get on the phone and say I need an ambulance.

"I don't know if they panicked and were so shocked they didn't know what to do. They would have known they hit him.

"It wasn't pitch black. Someone must have seen something.

"I hope they do find what happened and who is responsible."

Linda said Kyle was a good, hard-working lad who would help anyone.

"He was a very gentle, good lad, never been in any trouble. "I feel so much for his family. My heart and prayers go out to them. It's such a tragedy."
 
A resident who has lived in nearby Dully Road for 18 years said she heard the collision.

"Me and my husband were sitting in the conservatory and heard a bang.

Heart-breaking

"I said 'My God, what the hell was that?' Sometimes a tyre might blow out but then we realised something must have happened.

"They tried everything to save the poor boy's life. "When you have children of your own, it's heart-breaking. I feel so sorry for the poor family."

Floral tributes to the teenager, who originally came from the Bournemouth area, were placed at the scene throughout Tuesday,

One message from his girlfriend read: "Kyle who knew this would happen? Why did this have to be you? You'll always be in my heart no matter what."
back