A 12-year-old 'football mad' Aston Villa fan has died after he was hit by a bus.
Aston Soulsby was run down by the single decker vehicle at around 4pm on November 1 in the West Midlands market town of Wednesdbury.
He was rushed to Birmingham Children's Hospital by paramedics where the youngster 'fought like a lion' for his life but tragically passed away on Tuesday.
Paying tribute to him, his parents said: "There are no words that come close to describe how we as a family are feeling after tragically losing our beautiful, strong, brave boy.
"Aston was full of hopes and dreams for the future and lived each day with a cheeky smile and a sensitive heart.
"He fought like a lion till the end and we are so proud of him for showing such courage.
"Aston has left us all with so many fond memories that we will treasure forever.
"The continued support from family, friends and strangers alike has been truly overwhelming and we would like to thank everyone who has offered kind words, messages, thoughts and prayers."
His heartbroken sister Abbie has set up a JustGiving page to raise £2,000 for the Birmingham Children's Hospital Charity "because they held our hands through an unimaginable time."
The page reads: "Myself and my family have been overwhelmed with support from friends, family, strangers and most of all the staff at Birmingham Children's Hospital.
"I've set up this page to try and show our thanks to all the staff that did everything they could to help my precious brother, for him it seems his path was already cruelly decided but hopefully with your support we can allow other families to have a happier ending."
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Mike Smith, associate headteacher at The Phoenix Collegiate, where Aston was at school, added: "We are deeply saddened about the tragic loss of Aston and our thoughts are with his family at this terrible time.
"Aston was a very positive member of our school. He was a talented, hard-working and caring student who had many friends at Phoenix.
"Within school he showed a great attitude to learning at all times and will be remembered as a boy who was happy and smiling all the time.
"He was football mad, always talking about his beloved Aston Villa and a massive England fan.
"The loss of Aston, particularly in so tragic a manner, hurts us all."
Anyone with information about the crash is asked to call police on 101.
Visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Abbie-Soulsby to donate.
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