Boy aged 9 collapses and dies despite father's bid to revive him

TRIBUTES have been paid to a nine-year-old boy who fell ill and died while playing with his friends.

Rowan Boland, a pupil at Balmoral Primary in Galashiels, collapsed in Meigle Park, home of the town's cricket club, on Monday night.

His father, David, 39, known locally as Ecky, had been helping with cricket training when the boy began to feel ill and had to lie down. He was called over to help try to resuscitate him while an ambulance was called.

Rowan was taken to Borders General Hospital but could not be revived. Mr Boland, who is assistant coach at Gala Rugby Club, said yesterday the family were totally devastated.

"Rowan was a brilliant boy who was totally loved by everyone," he said. "He was a mad-keen sportsman and was always on the go.

"From an early age, he loved anything to do with sport – tennis, golf, football. He would come down with me to the training nights even in the bad weather, but his real passion was cricket. The tributes to him have been great, we've had so much support."

Rowan's mother, Elaine, 46, a nurse at Borders General, arrived at the scene after Rowan had collapsed.

"He was a brave, lovely boy, who never gave anyone an ounce of bother – we're all totally heartbroken," she said.

In a statement released yesterday, Gala Cricket Club expressed shock at the boy's sudden death.

"Everyone connected with Gala Cricket Club is devastated by the news of Rowan Boland's death on Monday night, and our thoughts are with David, Elaine, Kristen and the family at this sad time," it said.

The club also announced that all team activities had been cancelled for the coming week.

Rowan is understood to have suffered from an underlying heart condition as a result of contracting respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) at just 13 weeks old.

The condition had left him with an enlarged heart, and he was taking tablets to strengthen and slow down his heartbeat.

Despite his condition, he had played cricket for Borders region under-11s when he was only eight and also played for Gala Cricket Club under-13s.

He was a member of Gala Rugby Club's Mini Maroons and a regular ballboy for the first fifteen.

Colin Playfair, president of Gala Rugby Club, said: "Rowan was often down at training with his dad and we all knew him. Our thoughts are with Ecky and Elaine."

The headteacher of Balmoral Primary School, Anne Thomson, said: "Rowan was a wonderful little boy and was a pleasure to teach. He was a much-loved pupil in the school and will be sorely missed."

Yvonne McCracken, of Scottish Borders Council, added: "This is a terrible tragedy and our heartfelt sympathies go out to Rowan's family and friends during this extremely difficult time."

The local authority said that support was in place at the school for pupils upset by the death of the boy.

Rowan's funeral will take place at Trinity Church tomorrow.