SHOCKED pupils and staff at Baxter College have been left “numb” after a 15-year-old boy died after collapsing during a rugby match.

Heartfelt tributes have poured in for Luke Chapman, who collapsed 20 minutes into Tuesday afternoon’s under-16s match at the college in Habberley Road, Kidderminster.

Luke, of Haybridge High School, Hagley, was not breathing when paramedics arrived at about 4.30pm.

An ambulance, rapid response vehicle, paramedic officer and the Midlands Air Ambulance from Strensham attended the scene.

Resuscitation attempts were carried out on the pitch before the air ambulance took him to Birmingham Children’s Hospital.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “Unfortunately, despite the best efforts of ambulance crews and hospital staff, nothing could be done to save the boy and he passed away shortly after arriving at hospital.”

Principal at Baxter College, David Seddon, was at the match and saw the tragedy unfold. He described the shock of seeing Luke collapse.

“At first you just expect him to get up,” he said. “There was nothing else anyone could do. It’s a tragic loss of a young life. Our thoughts are with his family, friends and his school.

“Everyone here is just numb and I would suppose that Haybridge is even worse.

“Our form tutors read the same statement out to all the kids so they have all got the same understanding.

“We have extra support on site from bereavement councillors and have asked all staff to be vigilant.

“The local authority has been brilliant. We are just doing all we can to allow emotion to come out.”

He drew a parallel with Bolton midfielder, Fabrice Muamba, who had a cardiac arrest on the pitch at Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday.

“I sat and looked at the kids and they were listening but they weren’t taking it in,” said Mr Seddon.

"Most of them wouldn’t have faced anything like this before. It happens to somebody else, somewhere else, particularly as it was so much in the public eye over the weekend. It’s like lightning has struck twice.”

Baxter College held a minute’s silence for Luke yesterday. Haybridge headteacher Caroline Hoddinott said Luke was “a much-loved son, grandson, friend and student and we will miss him very much.”

To read more of her statement and tributes to Luke click here