Overview
- A heavy stone cross detached from its base and fell onto a four-year-old boy at Rawtenstall Cemetery on July 5, killing him despite emergency services’ efforts.
- Lancashire Police confirmed the death was accidental, ruled out suspicious circumstances and passed a file to HM Coroner.
- Rossendale Borough Council is collaborating with relevant agencies to investigate the collapse and examine cemetery maintenance standards.
- Relatives returned to the site with flowers and tributes identifying the boy as Eli David, prompting community-wide mourning.
- A fundraising campaign has been launched to cover funeral expenses as the tragedy intensifies demands for stricter headstone inspection routines.