A 12-year-old boy has died after a garage wall collapsed on Friday night. Police said they were called to the scene by firefighters shortly before 7pm.
It happened in St John's Road, Clacton, Essex Police said. They said two people were initially unaccounted for. Road closures were put in place while emergency services dealt with the incident.
A man, aged in his 30s, was rescued from the rubble and had an arm injury. However, despite the best efforts of paramedics, a 12-year-old boy died at the scene. The pair were known to each other, police said, but the exact relationship has not yet been confirmed. The boy's death is being treated as non-suspicious and a file will be prepared for the coroner, Essex Police added.
Detective Inspector James Hardingham, who is leading the investigation, said: “My thoughts are with the family and friends of those concerned at this sad time. We’re continuing our enquiries to establish the facts leading to the wall collapse. If anyone has information that can help us, or anyone who was in St John’s Road just before 7pm last night and saw anything that could help our investigation, should call us.”
Police said the house the garage was attached to had been declared safe. Essex Fire and Rescue Service said firefighters worked "incredibly hard" to rescue the pair from under the bricks.
In a statement, the service said: "Crews were called to London Road, Clacton, last night after reports of two people trapped under a brick wall. Firefighters worked to release both people, a man and a 12-year old child, from under the bricks. Although crews were able to release the man, the child sadly died at the scene."
Station manager Nick Singleton said: "This is a tragic incident and our thoughts are with everyone who knew the child as well as the wider Clacton community. Our firefighters worked incredibly hard to save both casualties and this is never the outcome we want to see. We will be offering further support to all of the firefighters who attended this difficult incident."
Police are now asking anybody who might have any information, CCTV, dash cam or other footage in relation to the incident to contact them.
Visit www.essex.police.uk/digital101, or call 101. Anonymous reports can be made to Crimestoppers on Twitter at @CrimestoppersUK, by visiting its website or by calling 0800 555 111. Quote incident 1121 of October 21 when providing any information.
