Boy, 4, killed after gravestone falls on him at Rawtenstall Cemetery
A four-year-old boy killed after a gravestone toppled onto him has been named by his devastated family.
The child, named by family as Eli, was crushed in the tragic accident at Rawtenstall Cemetery in Haslingdon, Lancashire, at around 1pm.
Emergency services tried to help him, but he could not be saved.
The boy’s great-aunt Donna Miller launched a GoFundMe looking to raise money for the family.
‘Yesterday my niece, Jessica and her husband Tommy tragically lost their son Eli due to a freak accident on Rawtenstall Cemetery.
‘The family are truly devastated.
‘I am setting up this page to help raise funds for them to finance Eli’s funeral costs and somehow to help them carry on for their other two children Jasper and Cecilia.’
Releasing a family photo containing the boy, she added: ‘All donations no matter how small will help this young family massively and help them deal with this unexpected tragedy.’
A former babysitter shared the fundraiser, adding: ‘Eli was the most clever little boy, I am so lucky to have spent some time looking after him. All of my love and strength to his family.’
A spokesperson for Lancashire Police said: ‘We were called to Rawtenstall Cemetery at 1pm on July 5 following reports a gravestone had fallen onto a child.
‘Tragically, and despite the best efforts of the emergency services, the boy sadly died. Our thoughts are with his loved ones at this devastating time.
‘His death is not being treated as suspicious and a file will be passed onto HM Coroner in due course.’
The entrance to Rawtenstall Cemetery, in Rawtenstall, Lancashire (Picture: Phil Taylor/SWNS)
Rossendale Borough Council said: ‘We are deeply saddened by the tragic death of a young child at Rawtenstall Cemetery today.
‘Our thoughts are with the family at this devastating time.
‘Rossendale Borough Council is working with all relevant agencies to understand the circumstances of this incident.’
Liz McInnes, the Labour councillor for Longholme Ward in Rossendale, also commented on the incident – calling it a ‘tragedy’.
She said: ‘This is a terrible tragedy – my heartfelt and deepest sympathies to the family of this poor boy – the whole of Rawtenstall is grieving.’
Andy MacNae, Labour MP for Rossendale & Darwen, added: ‘My thoughts go out to the family and everyone affected by the tragic incident in Rawtenstall cemetery today which has claimed the life of a four year old boy.’
According to the website of the cemetry in Burnley Road, it holds over 21,000 burials and covers around 17 acres, with a chapel seating 40 people.
The cemetery caters for Catholic, Church of England, Non-Conformist and Muslim burials.
Technology & Business Editor
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