Funeral details for tragic Ballymena schoolboy

Natalie Coyle signs the book of condolences at Harryville Primary School

The funeral of tragic schoolboy Kayden Fleck will take place on Thursday afternoon in Ballymena.

The five-year-old – described by his family as a “happy-go-lucky” child and by his school principal as “a wee chatterbox” – died on Saturday when he fell into the River Braid.

Family pastor Thomas Todd of Ballykeel Pentecostal Church said the service would be at 2pm on Thursday in Ballymena Elim Church.

He said there is a family connection to both churches, and as a big turn out was expected the Elim church in Castle Street was a more suitable location.

Pastor Todd said he knew the family reasonably well, confirming that Kayden’s mother Leanne McGowan and father Darrel Fleck had recently got married.

He said Kayden had a twin brother as well as an older brother and younger sister.

“I was speaking to the family yesterday – it’s a difficult time for them as you can imagine,” he said.

“They’re trying to put on a brave face but the reality is so incredibly difficult.”