The village of Maguiresbridge where the tragedy took place.
There is widespread sadness and shock across County Fermanagh today following news that a young child died in a farm incident last night.
Police say they attended a farm in the Maguiresbridge area at around 8.30pm on Thursday night following a report of an incident involving a four year old boy. It is believed that the youngster was killed in an incident involving a digger.
Inspector Glen Latimer said: “The child was sadly pronounced dead at the scene. Local PSNI will work closely with the Health and Safety Executive NI as they investigate the circumstances of the fatal incident.”
The Ulster Unionist’s Tom Elliott MP knows the family personally and says the local community will support them at this difficult time.
“They are a very close family who have lost a son, a grandson and a brother and that’s something I’m sure they will find very, very difficult to come to terms with,” he said.
UUP MLA Rosemary Barton added: “To lose a child in this way is something which the family will find very difficult to deal with and my thoughts and prayers are with them today and in the weeks to come. I know that the wider Fermanagh community has been greatly upset by this news and people will be very keen to offer any support that they can to help the family at this time.”
DUP leader Arlene Foster also expressed her sympathy on the news of “a young life taken under such tragic circumstances”.
“This is devastating news and I wish to express my sympathy to the family. In the close knit farming community of Fermanagh, news of this untimely death has caused a great deal of shock,” she said.
Sinn Fein MLA Jemma Dolan tweeted this morning: “Thoughts with the family & friends of the wee 4 year old killed in the tragic accident on the farm in Maguiresbridge. Just heartbreaking.”
Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Cllr Mary Garrity also tweeted: “Thoughts and prayers with the family in Maguiresbridge on their recent tragedy. Hearts broken forever.”
UUP Cllr Victor Warrington added: “Tragic news this morning from Maguiresbridge where a 4 year old boy has lost his life in a farming accident. I know the family well.”
The family of the boy, whose name has yet to be released, have appealed for privacy following their tragic loss. Maguiresbridge Methodist Church will be open from 7pm this evening (Friday) to facilitate people to come together for fellowship and prayer following the accident.
A spokesman for Lisbellaw, Maguiresbridge and Tempo Methodist Church said: “With the local Methodist Circuit our thoughts are very much with the family this morning and in the coming days. Please uphold them in prayer at this sad time.”
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