‘Forever 11’ – Mum’s heartbreaking tribute to ‘beautiful boy’ struck by BMW as vigil organised after ‘unimaginable loss’

THE mum of an 11-year-old who died after he was hit by a car has shared a heartbreaking tribute to her “beautiful boy”.

Dozens of flowers, teddy bears and messages have been left in a sweet tribute to the young lad, with a vigil to take place in his memory this evening.

Mason Keilhauer was struck by a grey BMW X5 near the junction between the Shankill Road and Dover Street in Belfast on Saturday.

The PSNI scrambled to the scene at around 7:25pm and Mason was rushed to hospital in a critical condition.

Sadly, the young lad was pronounced dead on Monday.

Flowers were left near the scene in Belfast, with messages to the heartbroken family after Mason’s sad death.

A plaque on the wall above a Rangers shirt said: “In this time of loss, may you be surrounded by compassion, lifted by love, and comforted by memories that will always remain close to your heart.”

One person wrote on a bunch of flowers: “Rest easy, you were gone too soon. You will be missed by everyone.”

His mum Michele said yesterday on social media that “I only got to borrow him for a short time”.

She wrote: “On Thursday night at 6:30pm I am organising a balloon release for Mason at my home – everyone is welcome.

“As most of you know, Mason loved the bands; he just lived for the whole band and bonfire stuff.

“So for the balloon release, it will be a red, white and blue theme, and at 7 pm, the Whiterock flute band will play for Mason.

“To know him was to love him and if love could have saved him he would have never died.

“I only got to borrow him for a short time. Forever 11, my beautiful boy.”

The Con Club Loyal, a Belfast Rangers supporters club, said they stood by the family in their grief.

The club wrote on social media: “One of our club’s good friends and former members has suffered an unimaginable loss.

“Their 11-year-old son was tragically killed in a car accident.

“As members of The Con Club Loyal, our hearts go out to Pete and Michelle Keilhauer and their entire family during this devastating time.

“Words cannot express the sorrow we feel, but we want them to know they are surrounded by love, support, and the strength of our community.

“We cannot begin to comprehend the pain of losing a child, but we stand with them in grief, prayer and solidarity.

“May their precious son rest in peace, and may Pete, Michelle, and their family find comfort in the love and memories they shared.”

The club also shared a picture of a piece of graffiti reading “Mason K – Forever 11”.

The PSNI has issued an appeal to young people planning to attend the vigil on e-scooters and scrambler bikes.

Chief Inspector Patrick Mullan said: “We fully understand that Mason’s friends and the local community want to show their support for his family.

“However I am appealing for young people to respect the wishes of the Keilhauer family at this tragic time and do not attend the vigil, or Mason’s funeral, on e-Scooters or scramblers.”