A nine-year-old boy has tragically died after being struck by lightning as he played on a football field.
The incident sparked a major emergency response after the child was hit by lightning during a heavy storm around 5pm tonight as several police vehicles and an air ambulance attended.
Police confirmed the young boy had been rushed to hospital with "serious injuries" but sadly passed away a short time later.
Officers believe the boy, who has not been named, was hit by lightening at the pitches off School Road in Blackpool and enquiries are ongoing, LancsLive reports.
The boy's family have been informed and are being supported by officers.
Det Supt Nick Connaughton of Lancashire Police said: "This is a truly devastating incident and our thoughts are wholeheartedly with the family and friends of the young boy, who has passed away, at this very sad and distressing time."
Spirit of Youth FC in Blackpool have paid tribute to the boy, saying: "It is with deepest regret that we have to report the news that the young boy who was struck by lightning earlier this evening has sadly passed away.
"The tragic incident happened on our home ground at Common Edge playing fields but it was not during a club training session.
"As a club, we are heartbroken and we offer our deepest condolences to the boy’s family.
"Spirit of Youth is a family and we are entrenched in the local community, and we will give whatever support is required to both the family and to those that were with him at the time.
"We would ask that people respect the privacy of the family at this most tragic of times.
"Rest In Peace young man."
School Road was shut between Common Edge Road and Midgeland Road but reopened shortly after 7pm.
Police have launched an appeal for witnesses and information.
Anybody with information about the incident, or who witnessed it and has not yet spoken to police, is asked to get in touch on 101, quoting log 1169 of May 11th.
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