Latest news with #RossendaleBoroughCouncil
ITV News
5 days ago
- ITV News
Thousands raised for funeral of four-year-old boy killed by gravestone in Rawtenstall Cemetery
Hundreds of people have donated towards funeral costs for a four-year-old boy killed in a 'freak accident' when a gravestone fell on him in a cemetery. The youngster, who ITV News is choosing not to name to respect his family's wishes, was at Rawtenstall Cemetery in Lancashire on Saturday, 5 July, when he was injured. Emergency services were called but the boy could not be saved, Lancashire Police said. More than 400 people have donated to a fundraiser on Go Fund Me, set up by relative, Donna Miller, to help pay for the child's funeral. Ms Miller said his parents were "devastated" to have lost their son in a 'freak accident", adding: "All donations no matter how small will help this young family massively and help them deal with this unexpected tragedy.' In a statement, Lancashire Police said: 'As many of you are already aware there was a tragic incident in Rawtenstall yesterday and we just wanted to give you the latest. 'We were called to Rawtenstall Cemetery at 1pm yesterday (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 police also added that the boy's family have requested privacy and that he has not been named publicly to respect this wish. Rossendale Borough Council, responsible for the cemetery in Rawtenstall, said in a statement: '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.'
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Yahoo
4-Year-Old Boy Killed After Being Crushed by a Falling Gravestone: 'Terrible Tragedy'
A 4-year-old boy has died after he was struck by a falling gravestone at a cemetery on July 5 Lancashire Police told PEOPLE that paramedics tried to save the child, but he sustained fatal injuries in the accident The local council is investigating the incident, and police said the boy's death is being treated as accidentalA 4-year-old boy has died after he was struck by a falling gravestone. According to reports from the BBC, Sky News and ITV, the boy, whose name has not been made public, was at Rawtenstall Cemetery in Haslingden, Rossendale — located about 15 miles north of Manchester — at around 1 p.m. local time on Saturday, July 5, when the gravestone fell on him. Lancashire Police told PEOPLE in a statement that officers and paramedics tried to save the child, but his injuries were too severe. "Tragically, and despite the best efforts of the emergency services, the boy sadly died," police said. "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 department added. According to ITV and Sky News, the cemetery is operated by the local Rossendale Borough Council. The council said in a statement following the boy's death that it is working to understand how the incident happened. "We are deeply saddened by the tragic death of a young child at Rawtenstall Cemetery today," a spokesperson said, per the outlets. "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." A number of local officials also spoke out about the tragic incident, including Member of Parliament Andy MacNae, who wrote on social media: "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, whose death is not being treated as suspicious." Councillor Liz McInnes said that the local community was "grieving" following the boy's death, per the BBC. "This is a terrible tragedy," she added. "My heartfelt and deepest sympathies to the family of this poor boy." Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. According to police, the boy's identity will not be made public, and the family has asked for privacy in the wake of his death. "The boy's family have asked for their privacy to be respected and allow them space to grieve," Lancashire Police told PEOPLE. "Therefore we will not be naming the child or releasing a tribute or any photographs of him. Thank you in advance for your assistance with this delicate matter." Read the original article on People
Sky News
6 days ago
- Sky News
Boy, four, dies after gravestone falls on him at Rawtenstall Cemetery in Lancashire, police say
A four-year-old boy has died after a gravestone fell on him at a cemetery, police have said. The boy was fatally injured at Rawtenstall Cemetery on Burnley Road, Haslingden, at lunchtime on Saturday, Lancashire Police said. Paramedics tried to save him but "tragically" the boy died in the "devastating" incident, the force said in a statement. Officers were called to the cemetery at 1pm "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 was not being treated as suspicious and a file will be sent to the coroner "in due course". Rossendale Borough Council posted on X on Saturday evening: "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. Andy MacNae, Labour MP for Rossendale and Darwen, said on Facebook his thoughts went out to the family and everyone affected by the "tragic incident". Local councillor Liz McInnes also wrote on Facebook it was "a terrible tragedy. My heartfelt and deepest sympathies to the family of this poor boy. The whole of Rawtenstall is grieving".
Metro
7 days ago
- Metro
Boy, four, killed after being crushed by falling gravestone
A four-year-old boy has died after a gravestone toppled onto him in a cemetery yesterday afternoon. The child was crushed in the tragic incident at Rawtenstall Cemetery in Haslingdon, Lancashire, at around 1pm. Emergency services tried to help him, but he could not be saved. 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.' 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 Borough Council is working with all relevant agencies to understand the circumstances of this incident. — Rossendale Borough Council (@RossendaleBC) July 5, 2025 Rossendale Borough Council said: 'We are deeply saddened by the tragic death of a young child at Rawtenstall Cemetery today. More Trending '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.' 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. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Underrated UK village is a foodie heaven with three Michelin-starred restaurants MORE: Teacher charged with sex abuse and murder of adopted baby MORE: Unassuming UK village is a surprising must-visit for foodies with 'exceptional' restaurants
