TRIBUTES have been paid to a teenager who died in a tragic accident while on holiday.
Luke Freeman was visiting the Lloret de Mar resort with friends, and it is believed that he fell from a fifth storey balcony around 6.20am on Tuesday, July 2.
The promising young footballer was 19 and staying at the Apartmentos Trimar.
Friends and family have been left devastated by his death and have paid tribute to him.
His Mum, Menna, said: “This is the most painful day of my life, and I know things can only get worse. I already missed you this week while you were on holiday, now I have to miss you forever.
“I am broken, but at least I know you were doing what you did best, having fun in the sun, with music and a fantastic group of mates.
“He was an amazing boy, accomplished footballer, all round fun guy, and doing so well at Uni.”
His sister Becky, in a tribute to Luke, said: “I texted you this morning to tell you how much I love you. I already knew you were gone, but I couldn’t bear the thought of not having said it one last time.
“We only got you for 19 years, but they were 19 years that I will never forget. You were the best friend I could ever have, company throughout the worst and best times of my life. I love you forever and always, my sweet brother. Keep on raving.”
Mrs Freeman flew out to Lloret de Mar after the accident to meet with the British Embassy and other official representatives.
She explained: “I cannot thank Caroline from the Embassy enough, and the police guy.
“Having spent time with both, been to see Luke in the funeral home, he looks ‘calm’, taken to the Rosanna apartments, and the hotel where it actually happened, and then had a much needed nap, just want to say this is all just a horrible accident and no one here in Spain thinks anything different.”
Luke was a pupil at the Forest School in Winnersh. After his GCSES, he then studied for a Sports Science BTEC at the GPS Reading Academy on Scours Lane. For this, he gained a triple distinction and a place at Bournemouth University.
He had just undertaken his first year at the campus and had gained a first for his coursework and was awaiting his end-of-year exam results.
But he was also a keen footballer, playing for Hurst FC and was a Reading FC Academy player.
A family friend said: “Football was a huge part of Luke’s life – both playing and watching.
“He spent several years progressing through the Reading FC Academy who admired his smooth technical abilities.
“Luke wasn’t the strongest or the quickest – but had the most beautiful left foot, a great football brain and more time than the other players. Not the normal sort of player you see in English football.
“Luke was Hurst’s man of the match back in May 2018 in our league cup final – the one player who could handle the bumpy surface. He made it look like a training session.”
And a spokesperson for Procision Football Academy said: “Everyone at Procision Reading Academy is deeply saddened to hear of the death of former student Luke Freeman. Luke was an excellent student, intelligent, caring, polite, respectful and funny.
“Luke finished our programme with triple distinction, won two leagues, and came on tour to Portugal and Spain with us. He then went onto University where he was excelling again.
“Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this very difficult time.”
