Tributes have poured in for a nine-year-old boy who died after falling from a locker which then fell on him while he attended an after-school club.
The youngster, named locally as Leo Latifi, was said to have suffered serious head injuries at Great Baddow High School in Chelmsford after becoming trapped underneath the locker at an after-school swimming club.
Paramedics rushed to the school at around 6.30pm on Thursday before an air ambulance landed in the car park shortly afterwards. The boy was taken to Broomfield Hospital where he later died.
A boy was seen at the school gates today handing over flowers to a member of staff. One tribute left at the school read: ‘Leo, Thank you for all the joy you have given to our lives. You are a bright shining light that has been an impact on our lives.
The un-named youngster is believed to have suffered serious head injuries after becoming trapped underneath the locker (pictured: The air ambulance, which landed at roughly 7pm yesterday)
Pictured: Flowers inside the school grounds at Great Baddow High School in Chelmsford
‘We will miss you but remember you always with such fondness.’
Another read: ‘Leo, a precious boy taken far too soon.
‘Our love and thoughts are with all the family and friends on this sad day. Rest in peace.’
Leo’s mother Natalie Latifi, 30, refused to comment, and her husband Eduart, 37, was too upset to speak.
It’s understood the couple have another son, who is a number of years younger than Leo.
A parent outside the school today said: ‘There are children inside there today just learning about it.
‘They’re grieving right now.’
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is now investigating the incident alongside Essex Police.
Tributes poured in to the nine-year-old boy, who died at Broomfield Hospital, on social media
One commenter said: ‘Our thoughts go out to his family and friends, a tragic accident RIP’
‘This is so sad thoughts go to everyone involved’ one commenter wrote upon hearing news of the tragedy
A statement reads: ‘HSE is aware of the incident and is jointly investigating with Essex Police who currently have primacy.’
The nine-year-old boy who died was not a pupil at the school but is understood to have been attending the club with his family at the time.
An Essex Police spokesman said: ‘We were called by the ambulance service at about 6.15pm on Thursday May 23 to reports a child had been injured at Great Baddow High School in Duffield Road, Chelmsford.
‘The nine-year-old boy was believed to have fallen from a locker and become trapped underneath it.
‘He was taken to hospital, where he sadly died.
‘We are liaising with the Health and Safety Executive.
‘The child was not a pupil at the school and had been there with family members at an after-school club.’
The youngster was seriously injured at Great Baddow High School in Chelmsford, Essex, last night (pictured: Great Baddow High School today)
Witnesses said they heard numerous ambulances rushing to the scene (pictured: The school today)
One resident, speaking with Essex Live, said: ‘We saw the air ambulance, it was right over the house. It was rattling the windows and I couldn’t understand why it was so low.’
Another said: ‘We heard the ambulance and the helicopter but we didn’t realise it was for the little boy. All I can say is that I’m really shocked and upset, especially for the parents.’
A third resident said: ‘I saw the police running across the field, there were five police cars, two ambulances and a helicopter. You don’t expect that sort of thing to happen.’
Taking to Facebook, Carley Hatcher wrote: ‘A boy has died due to a locker falling on him.
‘I am in shock this has happened, our children should be safe at school!
‘My heart goes out to all involved.’
The boy was not a pupil at the school but is understood to have been attending an after-school swimming club with his family at the time
The school said it is today closed due to ‘exceptional circumstances’ as investigations continue
Rachel Watts added: ‘RIP young man, it should not have been your time!’
The school said it is today closed due to ‘exceptional circumstances’ as investigations continue.
Witnesses said they heard numerous ambulances rushing to the scene.
A statement issued on the school’s website and sent to parents reads: ‘Due to exceptional circumstances, the school will be closed on Friday, May 24, except for Year 11 and Year 13 students sitting exams (GCSEs: Business Studies, Italian, DT; A levels: Business and Physics).
‘The buses will run as normal at the beginning and the end of the day.
‘Students taking morning exams will be able to leave the site after their exam.
‘The school is closed to all students except those taking exams.
‘Further information will be sent.’