School and rugby club pay tribute to Luke Chapman

The headteacher of a schoolboy who died after collapsing during a rugby match has paid tribute to him as a "much-loved son, grandson, friend and student".

And Worcester Warriors rugby club spoke of the "devastating impact" 15-year-old Luke Chapman's death has had.

Luke, a student at Haybridge High School in Hagley, had been taking part in an under-16s game at Kidderminster's Baxter Business and Enterprise College in Habberley Road, Kidderminster on Tuesday when he collapsed.

He was taken by air ambulance to Birmingham Children's Hospital but died soon after.

Caroline Hoddinott, headteacher of Haybridge High School said: "We are all terribly shocked and upset by the tragic death of Luke Chapman. Luke was a much-loved son, grandson, friend and student and we will miss him very much.

"Our thoughts are with the family, friends, students and staff at this very sad time and the school will offer all the support we possibly can to all those affected.

"Our focus now is to help family, friends and our whole community through this difficult time.

"We would appreciate you respecting our privacy to give us the space to enable us to do this. Thank you to everyone for their thoughts and prayers."

Luke also played for Old Halesonians Rugby Club, based in Wassell Grove, Hagley. Scores of tributes have been left on a Facebook page called RIP Luke Chapman, which has attracted 1,770 "likes" since it was set up.

A statement by Worcester Warriors and Worcester RFC said: "We would like to express sincere heartfelt sympathy to the family and friends of an aspiring rugby player who died playing for Haybridge High School in Hagley.

"Our immediate thoughts are with the family at this very sad time. We would also like to extend our heartfelt sympathy to his school friends, his rugby club and the team they were playing. All parties have a close relationship with Worcester Warriors. Such sad news has a devastating impact on everyone involved in rugby and the news of such a tragic loss has devastated our entire rugby community."