THE parents of a five year-old boy who died after falling into a river in Co Antrim have described their son as a "happy-go-lucky" boy who "just melted your heart".
Kayden Fleck (McGowan) died after being swept more than four miles down a freezing river Braid in Ballymena on Saturday afternoon.
In a statement, Kayden's parents, Darrel and Leanne Fleck, who only weeks ago celebrated their wedding, told of their heartbreak describing their son as "your average wee boy" who along with his twin brother Jayden were "the two musketeers".
The family thanked the agencies who were involved in the search and rescue operation and said they are grateful for the community support they have received since.
Tributes and messages of condolences appeared on social media as news of the tragedy spread. One resident in the area said "the whole of Ballymena is mourning this little guy."
"So so sad. Wee angel taken too soon had his whole life ahead of him. Thinking of the family at this time," another wrote.
In a statement, Harryville Primary School, where Kayden was a P1 pupil, asked for prayers for the family.
"Please remember the Fleck (McGowan) family in your thoughts and prayers at this very sad time as they mourn the loss of wee Kayden. The whole school community is remembering you at this sad time," they wrote.
It is understood Kayden entered the water at the Ecos Centre nature reserve at around 1pm and was quickly swept downstream.
Within minutes a major search operation was launched and crews from the fire and rescue service, the PSNI and the Community Rescue Service descended on the Co Antrim town.
Sean McCarry, regional commander of the Community Rescue Service, said a multi-agency approach was necessary to find the boy who was "swept away quite fast".
Mr McCarry said rescuers were "running desperately" after the boy, while a police helicopter observed from above and reported any sightings.
"The police were co-coordinating and telling us where we needed to go to next and we were just trying to get ahead of him in the river," he said.
"Eventually that happened and he was pulled out of the river and put into the air ambulance."
Kayden was lifted from the water more than four miles downstream near the Galgorm Castle Golf Course and was airlifted to the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children shortly after 3pm. However he later passed away in hospital.
TUV leader Jim Allister said the tragedy was an "awful loss for the local Ballymena family".
"My heartfelt sympathy at this terrible time. To lose a child must be unbearable. The emergency services were marvellous but it was not to be enough. So sad," he added.
Ulster Unionist leader Robin Swann offered his condolences to the Fleck family "following their devastating and tragic loss".
"In the midst of this terrible tragedy, I also commend all the efforts of the emergency services, air ambulance crew, police and hospital staff," he said.
SDLP councillor Declan O’Loan said: "I want to extend my deepest sympathy to the family of Kayden Fleck (McGowan) after the terrible tragedy which transpired today.
"I also want to extend my sympathy to the family of Harryville Primary School who are also very shocked by this tragic incident. The whole of Ballymena I know feels deeply for all concerned."