More than 100 friends and family of a tragic teenager gathered together for a balloon release in his memory.

Kieran Byrne, 15, died after colliding with a white BMW while riding an e-scooter in Heath Road, Coxheath, on Saturday.

Tributes flooded in for the Cornwallis pupil with many leaving flowers and candles next to a road sign near where the accident happened.

Yesterday evening (July11), Kieran’s close friend, Charlie Daily, organised a balloon release in the village in the teenager’s memory.

Held on a small green in Huntington Road, friends and family came together to remember Kieran.

Charlie said: “We had been friends for four years but recently our friendship became a lot closer because he moved to the village.

“The hardest thing about all of this is that it was so close. He lived a couple of doors down from us and to hear the news was just heartbreaking. Me and Kieran use to hang around every day.

“I am coping but it’s hard dealing with loss, especially when it’s someone you’ve known for quite a while but you just have to get through it and show support to everyone else who are dealing with the same loss.

“I organised this because I thought it would be nice for people to say goodbye properly because they never got that chance and it felt like the right thing to do.

“Tonight is about saying goodbye and that Kieran will live on in our memory.”

Charlie was supported by his grandmother Karen Towner.

She said: “I have been posting on Facebook making sure people get the word out.

“I have been speaking to people in the close to rally up enough people to come out and support one another.

“Our community is very tight, we’re very close and we all pull together.

“We are all going to the family and asking if there is anything you need, we’re here. We all just want to support the family and the kids with their grief.”

Along with the releasing of balloons, groups held up phones with lights pointing to the sky while Kieran’s favourite song was played.

Speaking about the display, Kieran’s sister-in-law Rachel Byrne said: “As a family we are so overwhelmed by the kindness shown by the community of Coxheath.

“Charlie and Kieran's friends played a lovely tribute to him last night, and it was nice to hear little funny stories everyone had of him. We thank everyone that came along to pay tribute to Kieran at such an emotional time.”

Paying tribute to the Cornwallis pupil earlier this week, Rachel said: “On Saturday my beautiful, talented, hilariously sarcastic, clever, highly intelligent and funny brother-in-law passed away in an unfortunate road traffic accident.

“We have had the most horrific 48 hours, that no family should ever have to deal with.

“We as a family unite and are strong and will stick together while we deal with this tragic turn of events.”

Rachel thanked everyone who had left flowers at the scene, adding: “You do not understand how it has helped us.”