'Elrich just loved his football. He was a good boy'

The heartbroken father of 11-year-old Elrich Caputo who passed away in hospital on Sunday, a week after being struck by a lorry, has expressed his sincere thanks to doctors who tried to save his son’s life and the whole town of Navan for their support and prayers.

Elrich’s parents Eric and Luciana have also thanked Parkvilla Football Club and his school, Scoil Mhuire, for being there for the family at such a difficult time.
Eric told how Elrich had just turned 11 on 13th October, the Thursday before the accident. 
As was tradition for Elrich and his brothers Jess (16) and Jede (13), he got a New Manchester United jersey which had his name and age on the back.
“He was a very nice boy, a very good boy,” said Eric. “He loved football, he was a big United fan. “

He told how Elrich loved playing football with Parkvilla and said the club, particularly Robert Buckle had been very good to them since the accident.

Elrich will repose at St Joseph's Chapel of Rest, Old Johnstown, Navan, today from 11am to 2pm with removal to St Finian's Cemetery Old, Athboy Road, Navan for burial at 3.30pm.

Eric explained that they will take Elrich’s remains past his home in Reask to say goodbye on the way to St Finian’s Cemetery where he will be laid to rest.

The tragic accident occurred at Abbeylands South, Navan, shortly before 10am on Sunday, 16th October, as Elrich made his way to a football match with Parkvilla. Eric said his son had tried hard to survive but his injuries were too bad. Sadly Elrich passed away on Sunday afternoon to the devastation of his family, friends and all who knew him.

Eric has also thanked the medical people at the scene and the staff at Tallaght Hospital and Temple Street Hospital and also the social workers who assisted them.
“We want to thank the whole of Navan town, and Parkvilla and Scoil Mhuire, our family and friends,” he said.

Parkvilla PRO Ultan Coogan said they club is “absolutely stunned”. “It is absolutely tragic, he was a lovely young fella”.

Robert Buckle, who is over Elrich’s under-12 team said Elrich was a “smashing little kid and a very good player”. 
He told how Elrich had just joined the club at the start of the season and how the other kids took to him quickly. “He was so talented. He loved playing football”.
It has been a difficult few months for the club. Victor Alonge, the father of another player died in a tragic accident when a gate fell on him at the Navan Retail Park in July. Just recently the club also lost one of its founders Paddy Clarke.
Robert spoke to Elrich’s team mates at training on the Tuesday night after the accident and they all prayed for their friend to get better and signed a card which Robert brought to the hospital. 
He stayed in close contact with Elrich’s family throughout the week and learned on Sunday evening that the little boy had died. 
“We are absolutely devastated. He was with us a short time but we were all very fond of him.” He has expressed the club’s deepest sympathies to Elrich’s parents, brothers, family and friends.
Colm Devlin, Principal of Scoil Mhuire, Navan, where Elrich was a fifth class pupil said: “This is a terrible tragedy for his family, our school and the whole community. We are deeply saddened by this turn of events. Our sympathy and thoughts are with the Caputo family and friends. Elrich was a fifth class pupil and he will be greatly missed by all who knew him.”
Mr Devlin explained that the school has implemented their critical incident management plan and that psychologists from the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) will be with them supporting and advising the teachers in their efforts to assist students in dealing with this tragic event. 
The school will also be open to parents, to support them and to offer them advice and guidance.
Local Fianna Fáil TD Shane Cassells said: “I would like to express my condolences to the Caputo family following the tragic loss of Elrich. 
“His death has shocked and saddened the town of Navan and indeed all of Co Meath. 
“I also extend sympathies to Elrich’s friends at both Scoil Mhuire and Parkvilla Football Club at this terrible time.”