Meldreth in mourning for ‘truly gifted’ teen

Hundreds of people are expected to turn out tomorrow for the funeral of a teenager who died after being hit by a train in Meldreth.

Edward Mallen was an A* pupil and had earned a place at the University of Cambridge, but died last week after suffering from a ‘deep decline’ into depression, his father told the Crow.

The 18-year-old – a gifted pianist who excelled in his studies and was head boy at two schools – was a pupil at Hills Road Sixth Form College in Cambridge. Edward’s family, who live in Meldreth High Street, have been overwhelmed by the volume of positive and supportive messages they have received in the last week.

Dad Steve said: “We are, of course, utterly distraught.

“We knew he was popular and well respected, but we have been inundated these past days with messages of goodwill, sorrow and fond recollection from across the region.

“The response has been tremendous. We are hugely and eternally grateful to all those who have supported us through this dark time.”

Before studying at Hills Road, Edward was head boy at Melbourn Village College and achieved 12 A*s at GCSE. School principal Simon Holmes said: “Edward was the pupil that every teacher wants to have. While he was only a teenager it is important that we remember all the things he achieved in his life. He was an exceedingly able student but, more than that, he was an outstanding young man.”

There are plans to put up a permanent memorial at the school and on Tuesday students visited the college at the end of the day to reminisce with teachers.