THE teenager who died suddenly after collapsing at his home on Friday has been formally named as 16-year-old Vincenzo Vetere. The Year 12 Beaumont School pupil s death came after fellow student Liam Woods, 14, lost his battle with meningitis on Tuesday -

THE teenager who died suddenly after collapsing at his home on Friday has been formally named as 16-year-old Vincenzo Vetere.

The Year 12 Beaumont School pupil's death came after fellow student Liam Woods, 14, lost his battle with meningitis on Tuesday - but the two tragedies are not being linked.

Vincenzo was taken ill at his home in Beechwood Avenue, St Albans, at around 9.30am and died after being taken to the QEII hospital in Welwyn Garden City.

He has been described as a popular and well-loved student in a tribute from his school which was released this afternoon (Monday) when his identity was confirmed.

Headteacher Elizabeth Hitch said on behalf of the whole school: "Vincenzo, or Chinni as he was known to his friends, was a well-loved student who will be remembered for his great sense of humour and his cheeky smile.

"A special Year 12 assembly was held for Vincenzo this morning which was beautifully led by his friends and a time of silence was observed by the whole school."

She continued: "We have met with Chinni's family, who attended this morning's assembly, to offer our condolences and a book of students' memories is being put together for them. Our thoughts and prayers are with them and all of Chinni's friends."

Mrs Hitch added: "The whole school is very distressed at Chinni's death and shocked by the loss of two members of our school in the same week. Specialist counsellors remain to offer their advice and support."

Tributes have also flooded in for the teenager on social networking site Facebook after friends set up a special group in his memory which now has more than 800 members.

Although the cause of Vincenzo's death has not yet been confirmed, the Health Protection Agency has advised the school that based on the information they have available at this time, no action is needed at Beaumont to protect public health.