Teenager Brodan Dubickas Dies in Stafford Park After Tree Falls During Play
A Staffordshire teenager, Brodan Dubickas, died on Saturday evening after being hit by a falling tree in Holmcroft Road, Stafford. His family confirmed he was playing in a park with friends at the time of the incident, describing their lives as "shattered" by the loss.
In a statement released via Staffordshire Police, Dubickas's family detailed his vibrant life, noting he "lit up a room". He was a dedicated competitive pool player, participating several nights a week for the Luck Penny or Staffordshire Bull A teams. He also played football for Stafford Falcons and officiated matches at weekends.
"As parents, our lives have been shattered and will never be the same," the family stated. "The pain is unbearable, and the hole that has been left can never be filled. His massive potential will now never be realised, and this is, in itself, a tragedy."
More than GBP#20,000 has been raised on a fundraising page established for the family. Tributes to Dubickas were described as "vast and incredibly touching", reflecting the impact he had on his community and beyond.
His former school, Tillington Manor Primary, paid tribute, calling him "a special young man" who was "kind-hearted, respectful and full of warmth". Kelly Brockhurst, the head teacher, noted: "It is incredibly difficult to comprehend that a life with so much promise has been cut so short, and our whole community is deeply saddened by this loss."
Emergency services, including paramedics, police, and an air ambulance, were called to the scene shortly before 18:30 BST, but Brodan could not be saved. Floral tributes have since been laid at the site, with Stafford Rangers FC describing the death as "heartbreaking". The Stafford & District Sunday Football League announced a one-minute silence before all Sunday matches in his honour.
