Neil was a 'fun-loving and thoughtful young person'

Neil McFerran’s funeral took place at Newtownabbey Methodist Mission in Rathcoole on Saturday.

His life long friend Aaron Davidson, also died in the Tunnel Brae Court apartment tragedy.

Their friend, Matthew Gaw, survived.

Paying a moving tribute to his younger brother, Stephen McFerran said: “The truth is, Neil was so perfect and if I was half the person he was, I would be very proud of myself and have realised how I looked up to him.

“He brought people together with his love, always smiling, giving hugs, teaching us the value of youth and how important it is to stay young at heart.”

It is understood Neil was awaiting his AS-Level results and Aaron was awaiting his A-Level results.

The families of Aaron and Matthew were among the mourners.

Members of the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service also attended.

Last week Neil’s mother Catherine recounted the nightmare when both boys’ parents tried to save their sons.

“We just started mouth-to-mouth and kept working on him and Aaron’s mummy and daddy were working on him,” she said.

“You read these stories and you hear these things in the news and you think, ‘I hope this never happens to my children’.”

Aaron’s funeral will take place today at the Church of the Ascension on the Doagh Road at 11.30am. He will be buried afterwards in Carnmoney Cemetery.

Aaron leaves behind his parents George and Katrina and sister Nicola.

Last week Aaron’s father said the 18-year-old was a “wonderful son” who never gave him “one bit of bother”.

Mr Davidson said it was “heartbreaking” to find the boys in such a way.

“I don’t know how we are going to cope. We can hardly take it in at the minute. All I can say is that Aaron was a brilliant young lad and he did nothing but make me proud. I can’t believe this has happened.”