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.