

An 14-year-old boy has died after colliding with another player during a football match.

Luca Campanaro, a goalkeeper for Bedgrove Dynamos FC, from Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, was seriously injured during an under-15s away match against Harefield United FC in west London on Sunday. He is believed to have collided with a member of the opposite team in what has been described as a “freak accident”.

Paramedics and ambulance crews were on the scene instantaneously, according to Ray Green, the secretary for Harefield United FC, and Luca was airlifted to the Royal London hospital in Whitechapel, east London.

Green said: “It was just a freak accident. It was just a collision between the two boys. From what people were saying, it was the awkwardness of how he fell that was it.”

A statement from Bedgrove Dynamos FC said: “We are deeply saddened to have to announce that a young player from the club sadly passed away this afternoon after being involved in a collision during a youth match on Sunday 9 December.

“Our thoughts are with Luca’s family and loved ones at this distressing time. We also offer our heartfelt condolences to his team-mates and all associated with the club as we now try to come to terms with the tragic loss of our friend and team-mate.

“It goes without saying that everyone at the club is devastated by this news and we ask that the privacy of his family, the players and club members is respected at this incredible difficult time.”

Dave Garricks, a family friend, has set up a JustGiving page, which has passed its £10,000 goal to cover funeral costs. A statement on the page said any further donations would go to the London air ambulance which tried to save Luca’s life.

Luca attended the Mandeville school in Aylesbury, where he was sitting GCSEs.

The school’s headteacher, Andria Hanham, said: “There are no words to describe how we feel in losing Luca from our school community. He was an extremely popular boy and well liked by his peers and staff. Moreover, he was known in the local community and had innumerable friendships, so this news will shake many, many people.”

In a joint statement by the staff, they described Luca as: “An energetic, lively, inquisitive, friendly and helpful young man. He always had a smile on his face and he was a popular member of The Mandeville school. He will be hugely missed.”

