Tragedy as boy, 8, is killed by falling headstone
A BOY has died after he was crushed by a falling gravestone.
Ciaran Williamson was pinned underneath the giant stone in Craigton Cemetery in Cardonald, Glasgow.
The eight-year-old had been playing with friends and is believed to have jumped on to the heavy tombstone when it tumbled and collapsed on top of him on Tuesday evening.
He was taken to the Royal Hospital for Sick Children at Yorkhill, Glasgow, but medics later pr o nounced him dead.
Police remained at the scene yesterday and part of the cemetery was cordoned off. The incident happened only yards from Ciaran’s home, where tributes were attached to railings.
Last night his f ather, Ryan Williamson, said ‘not a second of a day’ would go by without him thinking of his son.
The youngster’s friend Thomas McManus, ten, was also hit by the falling headstone, but was not seriously injured.
Speaking at the family home last night, Thomas said: ‘We went in through a gap in the wall. It’s very easy to get in there.
‘When we jumped from the tree the grave wobbled and then fell over on us.
‘I’m very sad about it, I’ve cried today.’
Another ten-year-old is believed to have suffered serious injuries to his foot, but police said he is in a stable condition at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children.
One witness, who asked not to be named, said: ‘I had been walking my dog in the graveyard and I saw this woman crying and covered in blood.
‘She was screaming and the police told her she should come back and be with her boy. It’s all really sad… I can’t believe it.
‘People are always complaining to the council about these stones. They are a disgrace. Something needs to be done about them.’
Last night Ciaran’s parents, Stephanie Griffin and Mr Williamson, were being comforted by relatives. It is believed the youngster’s three siblings, Kelsey-Leigh, three, Logan, one, and ten-month- old Kendyll were also with family.
Paying tribute to his son on Facebook, Mr Williamson wrote: ‘My boy, this is not goodbye because I’ll see you again soon, buddy. I love you to the moon and back and not a second of a day that goes by will I not miss you, but your memory will be in our hearts forever.
‘We will never stop speaking about you, so until we meet again wee man you sleep tight and remember dad loves and misses you more than words can describe.’
Maureen Simpson, headteacher of Lourdes Primary School in Cardonald, said: ‘This is a tragic incident and our prayers are with Ciaran’s family and friends.
‘This is a shock to our school community and we will do all we can to support pupils and staff. Ciaran was a popular pupil and will be missed by us all.’
A police spokesman said: ‘Inquiries are continuing to determine the full circumstances surrounding the incident, however officers are not treating it as suspicious.’