A nine-year-old boy has died after a locker fell on him inside a school.
The tragedy happened while the youngster - who is not a pupil - was attending an after-school club.
Paramedics rushed to Great Baddow High School in Chelmsford, Essex, at 6.15pm last night where they found the child trapped.
He was taken to hospital but sadly later pronounced dead.
The school has been closed for the day except for students sitting exams, reports Essex Live.
It is understood the boy was attending a swimming club with his family.
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A spokesperson for Essex Police said: "We were called by the ambulance service at about 6.15pm on Thursday May 23 to reports a child had been injured at Great Baddow High School in Duffield Road, Chelmsford.
"The nine-year-old boy was believed to have fallen from a locker and become trapped underneath it.
"He was taken to hospital, where he sadly died.
"We are liaising with the Health and Safety Executive.
"The child was not a pupil at the school and had been there with family members at an after school club."
Witnesses said they heard numerous ambulances rushing to the scene.
An air ambulance was also spotted landing nearby.
An ambulance trust spokesman said: “We were called to reports that a child had been seriously injured at the Baddow School swimming pool in Chelmsford around 6.15 on Thursday evening.
"We treated the child at the scene and transported him to Broomfield Hospital. Essex and Herts Air Ambulance attended but the boy was taken to hospital by road."
Taking to Facebook, Carley Hatcher wrote: "A boy has died due to a locker falling on him.
"I am in shock this has happened, our children should be safe at school!
"My heart goes out to all involved."
Rachel Watts added: "RIP young man, it should not have been your time!"
A statement issued on the school's website yesterday reads: "Due to exceptional circumstances, the school will be closed on Friday, May 24, except for Year 11 and Year 13 students sitting exams (GCSEs: Business Studies, Italian, DT; A levels: Business and Physics).
"The buses will run as normal at the beginning and the end of the day.
"Students taking morning exams will be able to leave the site after their exam.
"Further information will be sent."
Meanwhile residents living nearby have also spoken of their shock.
Keith and Jackie Knagg's four children went to the school.
Keith said: "I only found out this morning when I went over to the newsagents, I couldn’t work out why the kids weren’t in school.
"We saw the air ambulance, it was right over the house.
"It was rattling the windows and I couldn’t understand why it was so low."
Jackie added: "We heard the ambulance and the helicopter but we didn’t realise it was for the little boy.
"All I can say is that I’m really shocked and upset, especially for the parents."
