The family of a 12-year-old boy who died after a garage wall collapsed have said they are “hurt” and “broken” in a tribute to their “well-loved boy”.
Scott-Swaley Daniel Stevens died after a wall which was attached to a house in Clacton collapsed on Friday evening, Essex Police said. Police are not treating his death as suspicious.
Emergency services were called just before 7pm and firefighters managed to free both the boy and a man in his 30s from under the bricks.
Scott-Swaley died at the scene. The man who was rescued from the rubble suffered an arm injury. They were known to each other.
In a statement released by Essex Police, the boy’s family said: “After a tragic accident, our son Scott-Swaley has sadly passed away.
“As a family, we cannot explain the hurt we feel and we are broken.
“Our Swaley was a well-loved boy who had friends not only in Clacton, but also in Dartford and Wickford and will be missed by so many.
“As a family, we would like to ask for privacy at this difficult time whilst we come to terms with our loss.
“We appreciate and would like to say thank you for all of the kind tributes to our boy.”
Detective inspector James Hardingham, who is leading the investigation, said: “My thoughts are with the family and friends of those concerned at this sad time.
“We’re continuing our enquiries to establish the facts leading to the wall collapse”.
The house the garage was attached to has been declared safe.
“This is a tragic incident and our thoughts are with everyone who knew the child as well as the wider Clacton community,” said Essex County Fire and Rescue Service station manager Nick Singleton.
“Our firefighters worked incredibly hard to save both casualties and this is never the outcome we want to see.
“We will be offering further support to all of the firefighters who attended this difficult incident”.
