Four-year-old boy killed by falling gravestone

The boy died at Rawtenstall Cemetery in Haslingden

A four-year-old boy has died after a gravestone fell on him at a cemetery, police have said.

The boy was fatally injured at Rawtenstall Cemetery in Burnley Road, Haslingden, at 13:00 BST on Saturday, Lancashire Police said.

Paramedics tried to save him but "tragically" the boy died in the "devastating" incident, a force spokesman said.

He added the death was not being treated as suspicious and a file would be sent to the coroner "in due course".

The police spokesman said officers had been called to the cemetery "following reports a gravestone had fallen on to a child".

He added: "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."

Andy MacNae, Labour MP for Rossendale and Darwen, said his thoughts went out to the family and everyone affected by the "tragic incident".

Local councillor Liz McInnes said the whole area was "grieving".

She added: "This is a terrible tragedy. My heartfelt and deepest sympathies to the family of this poor boy."