First Photo of Boy Crushed by Grave Released

2024-10-01 04:11:27

This is the first picture of a four-year-old boy killed after a gravestone toppled onto him.

The child, named by family as Eli Testa, was crushed in the tragic accident at Rawtenstall Cemetery in Haslingdon, Lancashire, at around 1pm on Saturday.

Emergency services tried to help him, but he could not be saved.

His parents, Jessica and Tommy Testa, were seen comforting each other as they returned to the scene.

Family friend Zena Shaw said in a moving tribute: ‘There are no words for the pain of losing Eli a beautiful, bright soul who brought joy in the purest, most magical way.

‘To Jess and Tommy… thank you for letting me be there, for letting me hold his hand and say goodbye. That moment, though impossible, was filled with so much love. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but the greatest gift you could have given me.’

‘I will carry Eli with me for the rest of my life. He was light. He is love. Rest gently sweet boy,’ she said. ‘You are so deeply loved, always.’

The boy’s great-aunt Donna Miller launched a GoFundMe looking to raise money ‘to help the family carry on’.

‘Yesterday my niece, Jessica and her husband Tommy tragically lost their son Eli due to a freak accident on Rawtenstall Cemetery.

‘The family are truly devastated.

‘I am setting up this page to help raise funds for them to finance Eli’s funeral costs and somehow to help them carry on for their other two children Jasper and Cecilia.’

Releasing a family photo containing the boy, she added: ‘All donations no matter how small will help this young family massively and help them deal with this unexpected tragedy.’

A former babysitter shared the fundraiser, adding: ‘Eli was the most clever little boy, I am so lucky to have spent some time looking after him. All of my love and strength to his family.’

A spokesperson for
Lancashire
Police said: ‘We were called to Rawtenstall Cemetery at 1pm 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.’

Lancashire coroners court has since confirmed it has received a file for Eli.

Rossendale Borough Council said: ‘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.’

Liz McInnes, the Labour councillor for Longholme Ward in Rossendale, also commented on the incident – calling it a ‘tragedy’.

She said: ‘This is a terrible tragedy – my heartfelt and deepest sympathies to the family of this poor boy – the whole of Rawtenstall is grieving.’

Andy MacNae, Labour MP for Rossendale & Darwen, added: ‘My thoughts go out to the family and everyone affected by the tragic incident in Rawtenstall cemetery today which has claimed the life of a four year old boy.’

According to the website of the cemetry in Burnley Road, it holds over 21,000 burials and covers around 17 acres, with a chapel seating 40 people.

The cemetery caters for Catholic, Church of England, Non-Conformist and Muslim burials.

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