Somerset Brymore student Jake Bowles, 16, killed by train

Quote

Somerset Brymore student Jake Bowles, 16, killed by train described as a big personality

A Somerset teenager who died after being struck by a train the day after he finished school has been described as ^a very big personality^ and who was looking forward to setting up his own business.

Jake Bowles, 16, was killed shortly before 9pm on Sunday having been struck by a train near to Highbridge and Burnham-on-Sea train station in Somerset.

The Year 11 student at Brymore Academy in Cannington, Somerset, had just been celebrating at the school^s leavers^ service on Saturday.

Mark Thomas, the head teacher at the academy, said students, staff and parents have been left shocked by the tragedy.

Mr Thomas said Jake, who was from Weston-super-Mare, had been a pupil at Brymore for three years and added: ^He was a very bright boy, very good at agriculture and maths. We had a leavers^ service on Saturday and they all had to write in a leavers^ book. He said he wanted to own his own business. He was a big character in the school, a very big personality. We are a small school and he was known to everyone. He was certainly very proud of the history of the school, and joined the Old Brymorians, and he was very supportive of younger students. Once the leavers ceremony happened on Saturday and the sports days was finished, which Jake was a time keeper at, everyone left the school for half term. None of his friends seem to know what happened. It is a mystery and very tragic.^

Although the school has been closed this this week for half term around 15 past and present pupils, staff and parents went in on Monday as the school offered help and support.

The school released a statement on their Facebook page which read: ^Brymore is saddened and shocked to hear of the passing of our Year 11, Jake Bowles. Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with Jake's family and friends and as a school community we will do all we can to support Brymore boys through this difficult time.^

The post has so far received 254 likes and 34 comments. Jason James wrote: ^School house will never be the same without you RIP jake.^ Anna Mattocks wrote: ^Our thoughts are with his family and friends at such a sad and difficult time. So very sad to hear of Jake's passing.^ Sam Gee wrote: ^R.i.p mate school house wont be the same we wil alwas be thinking of you.^

Brymore Academy is a state boarding and day school for boys aged 11-17 which focuses on a practical curriculum and has one of the largest working school farms in the country.

A spokesman for British Transport Police confirmed Jake^s death is not being treated as suspicious. He said: "Our officers attended, alongside colleagues from Avon and Somerset Police and South Western Ambulance Service and discovered a 16-year-old local boy had been struck and killed by a train. At this stage the incident is not being treated as suspicious and BTP^▸ officers, who are supporting the deceased^s family, will assist in the compilation of a report for the coroner."