Boy, four, killed after being crushed by falling gravestone in Lancashire

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.’

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.’

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.

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