12-year-old boy dies after fall from Winsford playground in Cheshire

A 12-year-old boy has died after falling from playground apparatus at Wharton Recreation Ground in Winsford, Cheshire, on Friday evening, police said. Emergency services were called to the park near Ledward Street after reports of a serious incident, and paramedics treated the child at the scene before he was pronounced dead.

Cheshire Police said officers were alerted by the North West Ambulance Service on Friday; officials gave the time of the call as shortly before 6.15pm, while some accounts put it at about 6.11pm. On arrival, emergency personnel found the boy had sustained serious injuries after falling from park equipment. Despite the best efforts of paramedics, he was pronounced dead at the scene. The force said the boy’s next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.

Police have launched an investigation into the circumstances of the fall. Detective Sergeant John Rhodes, of the Protecting Vulnerable People Investigations Unit, described the case as deeply tragic and appealed for witnesses. He said investigators were asking anyone who was in or around Wharton Recreation Ground at the time and saw anything that may help enquiries to get in...