Family pay tribute to tragic Ashley

LOVING tributes were today paid to a “free spirited” teenager who died after pulled from a pond in Ipswich.

The shattered family of Ashley Dorling spoke of their devastation at the loss of their son, brother and nephew.

The 15-year-old, from Lavender Hill, Ipswich, was relaxing with a friend and older brother Garry, 22, at the pond near Jovian Way when tragedy struck.

Police were called to the scene by a member of the public at about 4.10pm after hearing shouts for help from the pond, which is situated on the housing development near to Morrisons on the Sproughton Industrial estate.

Police, the ambulance service, the fire service and Air Sea Rescue conducted an immediate search of the pond to try and locate Ashley.

He was recovered after an hour before he was taken to Ipswich Hospital in a critical condition. But despite the best efforts of medics, he was declared dead soon after his arrival.

The death has been referred to the coroner.

Laying flowers at the scene, his family spoke of their “huge loss” and desperate sadness at Ashley's death.

Grieving mum Rosemary Dorling said her son, who was not a strong swimmer, adored fishing in Felixstowe and meeting up with friends.

“He loved hanging out with his friends in his caravan in our front drive,” she said. “He liked doing things up - he was so good with his hands. He was a real help around the house.

“He will be sadly missed by all the family and his friends. I am just so sad his baby brother Ryan will have to grow up without him around.”

The former Holywells High School pupil had started a course at Nacro, an education establishment aimed at providing more vocational careers.

His auntie, Sandra Grimwood said she could not believe he was gone.

“Fifteen years is no age to die,” she said. “He still has so much to do with his life.”

In a letter penned to the Evening Star, she said: “The joy you brought to others will never be forgotten, to not have you here every day is just too hard.

“You will be missed forever and will always be in my heart.”

Pay your tributes to Ashley - sign the online book of condolence, write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk

TRAGIC Ashley Dorling's three older sisters today told of their grief at the loss of their little brother.

The trio - Amy Steward, Kylie Dorling and Stacey Dorling - said they could not believe the 15-year-old had gone.

Amy, speaking on behalf of her family, Aidan, Sharnelle and Tyrell, said: “It still doesn't seem real, my little brother and angel has gone.

“A big part of me is missing and my life will never be complete now.”

In a letter handed to The Evening Star, Kylie wrote: “You were such a good lad, I can't believe this has actually happened to you.

“I will remember all the good times we had together and all the hugs we had.

“Love you always, lil bro.”

A thousand words can't bring you back,

We know because we tried.

Neither will a thousand tears,

We know because we have cried.

You left behind some broken hearts,

Some happy memories too.

But we never wanted memories,

We only wanted you.

Letter from Stacey Dorling, 17

“To my lil bro Ashley,

Can't believe you're gone, missing you so much darling. Going to be so strange without you here, you were such a lovely young man.

“Going to miss all the times we used to sit up together and talk when everyone else went to bed. A big piece of me is missing and it is you my little brother.

“You will always be in my heart little man, can't believe you're not here, nothing can ever take your place.

“Always going to wake up every morning and go in your room to see if you are ok and you're just not going to be there.

“But you are always in my heart darling, never ever going to forget you.

“We are going to do up your caravan for you darling and remember you how you were, cheerful and up to no good, a pain sometimes. But that was what made you who you are.

“Love you so much, my darling little bro.”