Latest news with #Rawtenstall
BBC News
07-07-2025
- BBC News
Boy, 4, killed in Rawtenstall Cemetery 'freak accident' named
A four-year-old boy killed when a gravestone fell on him at a cemetery has been named by his family. The youngster, named as Eli on a fundraising page set up by a relative, died at Rawtenstall Cemetery on Burnley Road, Rawtenstall, at 13:00 BST on fundraising appeal has since raised more than £9,000 for his family, who were described as "truly devastated" by his sudden death. Lancashire Police has said the boy's death was not being treated as suspicious, and Rossendale Borough Council - which owns the cemetery - said it was "working with all relevant agencies" on investigations into the incident. Eli's great aunt, Donna Miller, wrote on the fundraising page that Eli's mother, Jessica, and her husband Tommy had lost their son due to a "freak accident".Lancashire Police described the boy's death as "tragic".A spokesman said officers had gone to the cemetery on receiving reports that a "gravestone had fallen onto a child"."Tragically, and despite the best efforts of the emergency services, the boy sadly died," the spokesman added. Rossendale Borough Council said: "We are deeply saddened by the tragic death of a young child at Rawtenstall Cemetery."Our thoughts are with the family at this devastating time." Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
Daily Mail
07-07-2025
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Pictured: Boy, four, crushed to death by falling gravestone as his grieving family lay floral tributes at the scene
This is the first photo of a tragic four-year-old boy who was sadly crushed to death when a heavy gravestone cross tumbled onto him over the weekend. Paramedics and police were unable to save the little boy, named locally as Eli Testa, after they were called out to Rawtenstall Cemetery on Saturday afternoon. Tributes from loved ones have now flooded in for the 'beautiful, bright soul who brought joy in the purest, most magical way'. Eli's parents, Jessica and Tommy Testa, stood with other family members yesterday sobbing and hugging each other as they visited the scene of the tragedy. A woman - believed to be the boy's mother – also stood silently at the graveside. Others left floral tributes and a teddy bear. The young boy, who had autism, also leaves behind his two siblings Jasper and Cecilia. Others left floral tributes and a teddy bear. The young boy, who had autism, also leaves behind his two siblings Jasper and Cecilia. One family friend Zena Shaw said in a moving tribute: 'There are no words for the pain of losing Eli a beautiful, bright soul who brought joy in the purest, most magical way. 'To Jess and Tommy… thank you for letting me be there, for letting me hold his hand and say goodbye. That moment, though impossible, was filled with so much love. It was the hardest thing I've ever done, but the greatest gift you could have given me.' 'I will carry Eli with me for the rest of my life. He was light. He is love. Rest gently sweet boy,' she said. 'You are so deeply loved, always.' Lancashire Police said Eli's death is not being treated as suspicious and a file will be sent to the coroners' office. Rossendale Council also confirmed that it was working with the relevant authorities to determine the circumstances of the tragedy, which occurred around 1pm. Local authorities have responsibility for maintaining graveyards and ensuring they are safe for visitors. The boy's aunt Donna Miller has now set up a GoFundMe page in memory of Eli. On the fundraising site she said: 'Yesterday my niece, Jessica and her husband Tommy tragically lost their son Eli due to a freak accident in Rawtenstall Cemetery. 'The family are truly devastated. I am setting up this page to help raise funds for them to finance Eli's funeral costs and somehow to help them carry on for their other two children Jasper and Cecilia. 'All donations no matter how small will help this young family massively and help them deal with this unexpected tragedy.' Other tributes laid at the site of the tragedy read: 'Our Darling Eli, Our Little Chaos Boy. 'I hope you're playing with the angels and that super grandad is giving you all the cuddles and kisses that we no longer can. We will love you and remember you always until we see you again.' Another, attached to a bouquet of brightly-coloured sunflowers and chrysanthemums, said: 'Vibrant flowers for our vibrant boy.' Andy MacNae, MP for Rossendale and Darwen, said: 'My thoughts go out to the family and everyone affected by the tragic incident in Rawtenstall cemetery, which has claimed the life of a four-year-old boy.' While councillor Liz McInnes, lead member for communities, housing, health and well-being at Rossendale Council, said the 'whole of Rawtenstall is grieving' the boy's death. 'This is a terrible tragedy,' she said. 'My heartfelt and deepest sympathies to the family of this poor boy. The whole of Rawtenstall is grieving.' A council spokesman said: 'We are deeply saddened by the tragic death of a young child at Rawtenstall Cemetery on Saturday. Our thoughts are with the family at this devastting time. 'Rossendale Borough Council is working with all relevant agencies to understand the circumstances of this incident.'
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Pupils showered in powder paint at end-of-year celebration
Pupils were showered in powder paint as part of a colourful end-of-year celebration. More than 300 Year 6 pupils took part in a colour dash at Marl Pits rugby pitch in Rawtenstall. The event, organised by the Rossendale School Sports Partnership, was one of the final opportunities for Year 6 pupils to represent their schools before moving on to secondary school. The colour dash marked the final opportunity for students to represent their schools (Image: Catherine Smyth Media) The event included two sessions, with Year 7 students from Haslingden High School, The Valley Leadership Academy, and Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School also joining in the festivities. Excitement filled the air as pupils gathered in a taped-off section of the field. After a countdown from 10, the bags were launched into the air, filling the sky with colour before raining down on pupils and staff. Powdered paint being thrown into the air (Image: Catherine Smyth Media) Pupils were then grouped together and set off around the pitch, running past paint stations manned by sports leaders from The Valley Leadership Academy. Charlie Howorth, a volunteer from St Anne's Church of England Primary School, said: "I ran round and it was fun, some of the paint went into my ear but everyone enjoyed themselves." For many, it was their first time taking part in a colour dash. Mia, a Year 6 pupil from Britannia Primary School, said: "It was very fun and exhilarating. "I have never done a colour dash before." In the afternoon session, with a few paint sachets remaining, grandma Linda Thompson and mum Lindsey Johnson joined the fun, covering each other in pink paint. Pupils enjoying the colour dash (Image: Catherine Smyth Media) Ms Thompson said: "This has been absolutely brilliant and a great release for all the children after everything they have been through this year. "As a grandparent – I love it." For some pupils, it was a day to remember in more ways than one. Cali, a student from St Paul's Constablelee, said: "Today has been amazing, I got paint thrown over me many times. "This is my school PE T-shirt and I am not going to need it again so I am not washing it, I am going to display it." READ MORE: In Pictures: Stevie Wonder kicks off UK tour with sold-out show at Lytham Festival How to follow Jack Catterall's big fight against Harlem Eubank 'She is now safe, warm, loved' - Homeless woman living on rec rescued after concern Dylan, from St James the Less RC School in Rawtenstall, said the day was full of surprises. He said: "Today had been great fun, exciting and colourful. "I have never done a colour run before and knew what I was in for. "I was surprised and there were a lot more people here than I thought but it was great."
The Sun
06-07-2025
- The Sun
Heartbroken family of boy, 4, killed when gravestone crushed him return to scene
THE family of a four-year-old boy who was killed when a gravestone crushed him returned to the scene yesterday. They sobbed, hugged and comforted each other in the cemetery as the tragedy sank in. It was understood a large stone cross became detached from the base of the gravestone. A woman — believed to be his mother — stood at the grave. Others left floral tributes. One read: 'Our Darling, Our Little Chaos Boy. "I hope you're playing with the angels and that super grandad is giving you all the cuddles and kisses that we no longer can.' Another read: 'Vibrant flowers for our vibrant boy.' The incident happened at 1pm on Saturday in Rawtenstall, Lancs. Lancashire Police said the death was not being treated as suspicious. Rossendale Council said it was working to determine the circumstances of the tragedy. Andy MacNae, MP for Rossendale and Darwen, said: 'My thoughts go out to the family and everyone affected by the tragic incident in Rawtenstall cemetery, which has claimed the life of a four-year-old boy.' 1
Daily Mail
06-07-2025
- Daily Mail
Grieving family name boy, four, killed when cross from a gravestone fell and struck him
Relatives of a four-year-old boy crushed when a heavy stone cross from a grave toppled onto him today returned to the cemetery where he died. The youngster, named in tributes as Eli David, was apparently struck when the cross became detached from the base of the gravestone at Rawtenstall Cemetery, in Lancashire, on Saturday afternoon. Police and paramedics were called but were unable to save him. Today family members sobbed and hugged each other as they visited the scene of the tragedy. A woman - believed to be the boy's mother – also stood silently at the graveside. Others left floral tributes and a teddy bear. One of the tributes read: 'Our Darling Eli, Our Little Chaos Boy. 'I hope you're playing with the angels and that super grandad is giving you all the cuddles and kisses that we no longer can. We will love you and remember you always until we see you again.' Another, attached to a bouquet of brightly-coloured sunflowers and chrysanthemums, said: 'Vibrant flowers for our vibrant boy.' Lancashire Police said the boy's death was not being treated as suspicious and a file will be sent to the coroners' office. Rossendale Council also confirmed that it was working with the relevant authorities to determine the circumstances of the tragedy, which occurred around 1pm. Local authorities have responsibility for maintaining graveyards and ensuring they are safe for visitors. Andy MacNae, MP for Rossendale and Darwen, said: 'My thoughts go out to the family and everyone affected by the tragic incident in Rawtenstall cemetery, which has claimed the life of a four-year-old boy.' While councillor Liz McInnes, lead member for communities, housing, health and well-being at Rossendale Council, said the 'whole of Rawtenstall is grieving' the boy's death. 'This is a terrible tragedy,' she said. 'My heartfelt and deepest sympathies to the family of this poor boy. The whole of Rawtenstall is grieving.' A council spokesman said: 'We are deeply saddened by the tragic death of a young child at Rawtenstall Cemetery on Saturday. Our thoughts are with the family at this devastating time.
