Tragedy as Keiran, 12, is crushed to death in telephone pole horror
A BOY was crushed to death after a heavy timber pole fell on him as he played with his friends.
Keiran esquierdo was trapped face down by what is thought to be a telephone pole.
It is believed the children had been climbing on the masts when one rolled down on to the 12-year-old in the village of Kelloholm, dumfriesshire.
His distraught friends, a girl and two boys, dashed to nearby homes to raise the alarm when they realised they could not free him.
residents tried to release the boy but could not move the pole.
It took six firefighters to lift the pole off the youngster but despite the efforts of paramedics, he died at the scene.
The close-knit village was yesterday in shock following the death of the ‘considerate and gentle’ boy, which came as local children began the first day of their half-term holiday.
A family friend said: ‘It’s heartbreaking. He was a lovely boy with a lot of friends in the village. He will be very sorely missed.’
Keiran, who recently started at Sanquhar Academy, was described by headteacher Tom Snow as a bright and motivated pupil.
Mr Snow said: ‘Our thoughts are with Keiran’s family and friends at this very sad and distressing time.
‘In his few months at Sanquhar Academy, Keiran had shown himself to be a bright, hard-working and motivated student who loved animals and nature.
‘He was highly thought of by his teachers and fellow pupils. Keiran’s loss will be acutely felt across both the school and the wider community of Upper Nithsdale.’
Keiran’s friends raised the alarm shortly before 4pm on Sunday. Villagers said the children often played in the area, which backs onto fields. A number of the poles were seen being delivered a day earlier.
One resident, who went to Keiran’s aid, said: ‘They came banging on the door in a panic and said someone had fallen.
‘When we got there I saw the lad pinned face down to the ground and unconscious.
‘The pole was so heavy that we couldn’t budge it so the police were called. The police, fire brigade and ambulances were here really quickly but it didn’t look good.
‘The pole was so heavy that it took six firemen to lift it off.
‘I think they must have been climbing on them and one of them has come away from the pile and rolled on to him. But they were just playing. It’s horrific something like that could happen.’
Inspector rory Caldow of Police Scotland said: ‘The children raised the alarm and were really upset by what has happened. It’s devastating to the family and to the community as a whole.’
Officers cordoned off the scene in the village’s Glenaylmer road. The large pole could be seen in a small ditch beside a fence.
Flowers bearing the message ‘Fly high Keiran, miss you so much’, had been laid nearby. Malcolm McGregor, headteacher at Kelloholm Primary School, paid tribute to his former pupil.
He said: ‘We are deeply shocked and greatly saddened to hear of the tragic death of Keiran.
‘He was a considerate and gentle boy who was a popular member of our school community.
‘He’ll be sorely missed. Our thoughts are with his family.’
Keiran’s family were last night too distraught to comment on the tragedy.
Police declined to comment on how the pole ended up falling onto Keiran, saying that the incident is being investigated.
A Health and Safety executive spokesman said: ‘HSe is aware and is making initial enquiries.’
‘Considerate and gentle boy’