“I am appealing for young people to respect the wishes of the Keilhauer family at this tragic time”
Mason Keilhauer(Image: PSNI)
Mourners have been urged not to attend a Belfast schoolboy’s vigil and funeral on e-Scooters or scramblers.
Police issued the specific appeal ahead of a planned vigil in memory of 11-year-old Mason Keilhauer who died tragically as a result of a road traffic collision on the Shankill Road on Saturday evening.
Mason was from the Shankill area and the local community is in mourning following his passing and have come together to support his grieving family.
READ MORE: Mason Keilhauer: Funeral details confirmed for boy, 11, killed in Shankill Road weekend crashREAD MORE: Boy, 11, killed in Shankill Road crash named by police as Mason Keilhauer
In a statement, the PSNI said they are aware of calls for young people to attend a vigil for Mason on e-Scooters and scramblers tomorrow evening and his funeral next week.
Late of Westway Crescent, a death notice said Mason was the precious son of Peter and Michele and loving brother of Ashton, Lacey and Freyja.His funeral service will be held in Living Hope Church on Monday, March 16 at 12noon and afterwards to Redburn Cemetery. Meanwhile a vigil and balloon release will take place at his home on Thursday night at 6.30pm featuring Whiterock Flute Band.
Police say they have real concerns for the safety of young people coming onto a busy road on e-Scooters or scramblers, adding that Mason’s family have asked that this does not happen.
Chief Inspector Patrick Mullan said: “We fully understand that Mason’s friends and the local community want to show their support for his family however I am appealing for young people to respect the wishes of the Keilhauer family at this tragic time and do not attend the vigil, or Mason’s funeral, on e-Scooters or scramblers.”
On Monday afternoon, police confirmed that Mason had passed away after the collision.
Chief Inspector Celeste Simpson said: “At approximately 7.25pm on Saturday evening, we received a report of a collision involving a grey BMW X5 and a male pedestrian, close to the junction of Dover Street.
“The boy was taken to hospital following the collision however, has since very sadly died. A 34-year-old man was arrested at the scene and has been released on bail pending further police enquiries.”
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