Kayden Fleck, 5, described as a 'happy-go-lucky son'
The young boy lost his life after he fell into the Braid River on Saturday afternoon
A young boy who died after he fell into the Braid river in Ballymena has been named as Kayden Fleck.
The family thanked agencies who were involved in the search and rescue operation on Saturday afternoon.
Kayden was a pupil at Harryville Primary School.
Kayden's parents, Darrel and Leanne Fleck have described their “happy-go-lucky” son as “your average wee boy” who “just melted your heart”.
Darrel and Leanne Fleck described Kayden and his twin brother, Jayden, as the “two musketeers”
The alarm was raised just after 1 o'clock and emergency services descended on the scene close to the Ecos centre.
Two hours later he was recovered from the water a few miles downstream.
He was flown by air ambulance to the Royal Victoria Hospital where he later died.
A spokesman for the Ambulance Service said:
"The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service was alerted to an incident today 13:04 following reports that a 5 year old boy had fallen into the River Braid in Ballymena.
"NIAS despatched an A&E crew, a BASICS doctor and the Air Ambulance to the scene to assist in a multi agency search and rescue for the boy.
"The child has been recovered from the water and at 15:04 was airlifted by air ambulance to the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children.
"The thoughts of all involved in the rescue are with the young boy and his family.