Heartfelt tributes have been paid to a young RNLI volunteer who died suddenly at the age of just 26. Rhyl lifeboat station released a statement about crew member Kyle Simpson, noting his "infectious laugh" and commending him for "going above and beyond what is expected of a new volunteer".
Station flags at half mast
The station's flag has been lowered to half mast in his honour. Fellow crew members noted that despite Kyle having only been at the station for a matter of months, his "cheeky character" had already made a lasting impression.
The RNLI station said: "It is with great sadness we report the sudden passing of Rhyl RNLI volunteer crew member Kyle Simpson.
"Kyle had joined the station with the last intake of volunteer crew members, and like the rest of his cohort, he had been progressing well with his training, always being eager to learn and performing his shore crew role on multiple service calls."Although he had only been on the crew a few months Kyle's cheeky character shone through when he was at the station."
Dedication praised
"Over the past few months, Kyle had been going above and beyond what is expected of a new volunteer, and would spend a great deal of his time assisting with the maintenance of the lifeboat station and all its assets.
"Kyle also threw himself headfirst into the social aspect of the station, regularly attending fitness sessions and celebrations with the crew.
"We will greatly miss Kyle and his infectious laugh. We know he would have been a fantastic crew member who was already incredibly proud to be part of the team, and as a station, we were very proud to have him."The stations and the lifeboat memorials flags are currently at half mast in his memory."
RNLI Rhyl said its thoughts are with Kyle's family and friends at this "incredibly difficult time". The RNLI's UK office stated: "We're so very sorry to hear about the sudden passing of Kyle. Thinking of the whole Rhyl crew and Kyle's family and friends at this incredibly difficult time."
