A cemetery in a city has closed so safety checks can be carried out, following the tragic death of a four-year-old in Rawtentall Cemetery.
A four-year-old, named locally as Eli David, was killed by a falling gravestone at Rawtenstall Cemetery, on July 5.
In response, Nottingham City Council bosses closed two of the city’s cemeteries, Northern Cemetery and Rock (Church) Cemetery.
Northern Cemetery reopened today (July 15) but the latter remains closed for safety reasons.
This was after safety tests were carried out on a number of older gravestones and a number were deemed unsafe. Work is now being carried out to rectify this.
Councillor Coral Jenkins, executive member for neighbourhoods, waste and equalities at Nottingham City Council, said: “Nottingham City Council has taken the decision to temporarily close Northern Cemetery and Rock (Church) cemetery with immediate effect, following safety tests on a number of older gravestones.
“This follows the tragic accident in Rawtenstall last week, when a gravestone fell on a four-year-old boy.
“We were deeply saddened to hear this news, and our condolences go out to Eli’s family.
“Like others, we quickly stood up testing in our own cemetery sites, to ensure the safety of those who visit our sites.
“We operate three active cemeteries across Nottingham and our two other sites, Highwood and Wilford Hill Cemetery, have been assessed and are considered safe, however there are a number of gravestones we have deemed unsafe, and we will now work to rectify this.
“Public safety is our utmost priority, and I thank officers for acting swiftly and responsibly to assess and manage risks. It is right to close temporarily while we make the site safe, which we expect to have completed by next week.
“We are contacting families who have burials planned over the next week, to confirm that their ceremonies can go ahead.
“While we appreciate that this may impact some people wishing to visit loved ones, we’d like to thank the public for their understanding of the need to ensure safety, above all else.”
Eli’s relative, Donna Miller, set up a fundraiser to help with funeral costs and family bills. At the time of writing, more than 700 people have donated more than £17,000.
Ms Miller said her niece, Eli’s mother, Jessica, and husband Tommy, who have two other children, lost their son due to a “freak accident”.
She added: “All donations, no matter how small, will help this young family massively and help them deal with this unexpected tragedy.”
In a statement, Lancashire Police said: “As many of you are already aware, there was a tragic incident in Rawtenstall and we just wanted to give you the latest.
“We were called to Rawtenstall Cemetery 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.”
At the time of the incident, Rossendale Borough Council, responsible for the cemetery in Rawtenstall, first established in 1877 and covering 17 acres, said in a statement: “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.”
Rossendale Council has been asked what has been done to ensure all gravestones at its cemeteries are safe, but has not yet provided a response.
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