Boy, 12, falls to his death while playing on playground apparatus in park

A 12-year-old boy has died after falling from playground apparatus in a Cheshire park.

The child was pronounced dead at the scene at Wharton Recreation Ground near Ledward Street in Winsford on Friday evening.

Police have now launched an investigation into the incident after being called in by the North West Ambulance Service.

Cheshire Police said the child’s family have been made aware and are being supported by specialist officers. 

‘The force is also urging anyone who was in the area or has information on the ‘deeply tragic’ incident to come forward. 

‘As part of our investigation into this incident, we are asking anyone who may have been in or around the Wharton Recreation Ground area just off Ledward Street in Winsford at around the time of the incident and saw anything that may aid us in our enquiries, to please get in touch.

‘At this stage I would also like to ask the public not to feed into any speculation, particularly on social media, as this remains an ongoing investigation.’ 

The child was pronounced dead at the scene at Wharton Recreation Ground near Ledward Street in Winsford on Friday evening

‘Anyone with information is asked to contact Cheshire Police via the website or 101, quoting IML-216564.’

The tragedy comes after a six-year-old boy died after suffering a head injury in a fall last year.

Mohammed Yaseen Uddin, who attended Marlborough Primary School in Small Heath, Birmingham, died in December 2024.

He was remembered in a tribute as a ‘wonderful and much-loved pupil’ who was ‘incredibly helpful, kind and caring’.

Razia Ali, executive headteacher at Marlborough, said: ‘Our school community has been left devastated by the tragic passing of one of our wonderful and much-loved pupils’.

The head paid tribute to Yaseen and said the school’s thoughts and prayers were with the youngster’s family and friends. 

She also said the school would be offering support to pupils affected by the loss of their schoolmate.

Ali added: ‘Yaseen was an incredibly helpful, kind and caring pupil who brought a smile to the face of everyone who came across him.

‘I know I speak for everyone when I say he will be deeply missed. All our thoughts and prayers are with Yaseen’s family and friends.

‘This has come as a huge shock and we know it will be extremely upsetting for many within our school community.

‘We are so grateful that he was part of our community, and are very proud of all he achieved, as is his family. He was a young boy who very much enjoyed coming to school and he was an integral member of our school community.’