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Parents' tribute to 'best son' Dead boy was 'bound for Oxford'
(about 17 hours later)
The parents of a 17-year-old boy found dead near a stream in Conwy county said he had been "the best son you could wish for". The parents of an Oxford University-bound 17-year-old boy found dead near a stream said he had been "the best son you could wish for".
Sam Thomas's body was discovered among trees beneath a bridge on Abergele Road which spans the Dingle river in Colwyn Bay on Saturday afternoon. Sam Thomas's body was discovered among trees beneath a bridge on Abergele Road which spans the Dingle river in Colwyn Bay, Conwy on Saturday afternoon.
North Wales Police said they are not treating his death as suspicious. It is understood he had been out celebrating the end of exams.
Jane and Mel Thomas from Rhyl, Denbighshire, said their son had had a "very successful academic career".Jane and Mel Thomas from Rhyl, Denbighshire, said their son had had a "very successful academic career".
In a statement they said: "Sam was a wonderful, caring and loving son, brother to Bethan. Police have said there are no suspicious circumstances over Sam's death and the matter is now with the coroner.
However his family described their son's death as an "accident".
Reports locally suggest the youngster, who had got a conditional offer to study at Pembroke College, Oxford, may have been out celebrating the end of exams at Coleg Llandrillo, Rhos-on-Sea, where he studied for an International Baccalaureate.
It is a great shame he never had the chance to fulfil his academic career at university due to a tragic accident Jane and Mel Thomas
In a statement his parents said: "Sam was a wonderful, caring and loving son, brother to Bethan.
"He was happy, fun loving, hard working and easy going and the best son you could wish for."He was happy, fun loving, hard working and easy going and the best son you could wish for.
"He had a very successful academic career, both at Rhyl High School and at Llandrillo College, and was head boy at Llewelyn Primary School."He had a very successful academic career, both at Rhyl High School and at Llandrillo College, and was head boy at Llewelyn Primary School.
"It is a great shame he never had the chance to fulfil his academic career at university due to a tragic accident.""It is a great shame he never had the chance to fulfil his academic career at university due to a tragic accident."
They added: "He will be sorely missed by all his family, friends and former teachers. He was loved by everyone and always will be."They added: "He will be sorely missed by all his family, friends and former teachers. He was loved by everyone and always will be."
North Wales Police were called to the scene in Colwyn Bay by the ambulance service just after 1230 BST on Saturday. 'Achievement'
Officers have conducted house-to-house inquiries and are appealing for information. Sam had gained an offer to read History and Politics at Oxford in October.
He was only one of 48 students to be offered a place after hundreds applied.
Sam, quoted on his college website, said: "I was really excited when I received the offer and hopefully I will be studying at Oxford University for the next three years.
"I thoroughly enjoy the IB course as I always wanted to be challenged. I have found it inspiring, studying a wide range of new subjects."
Melanie Monteith, the course co-ordinator at the college said: "This is a tremendous opportunity for Sam and we are so proud of him.
"It is a real achievement for him, and excellent that the college continues to place Llandrillo students in the top universities every year."
North Wales Police have appealed for any witness to come forward and say their inquiries on behalf of the coroner, are continuing.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 0845 6071001 (Welsh language line) 0845 6071002 (English language line).