Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Athena Stavrou

Boy, 4, dies after gravestone falls in cemetery

A four-year-old boy has died after a gravestone fell onto him in a cemetery, according to reports - (Google Maps)

A four-year-old boy has died after a gravestone fell onto him in a cemetery in Lancashire.

Emergency services were called to Rawtenstall Cemetery at around 1pm on Saturday following reports that a gravestone had fallen onto a child.

Despite efforts to save him, the boy died. Lancashire Police said his death is not being treated as suspicious and that it will pass a file onto the HM Coroner “in due course”.

A spokesperson for Lancashire Police said: "We were called to Rawtenstall Cemetery at 1pm today (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 cemetery, located on Burnley Road, caters for Catholic, Church of England, Non-Conformist and Muslim burials and currently holds over 21,000 burials and is around 17 acres.

There is a chapel, which can seat around 40 people, can be hired for a small fee.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.