Community in shock as 4-year-old dies after medical episode in Bolton

Police were called to Lenham Gardens, Breightmet, at around 1.30pm to reports of the young child believed to be suffering a medical episode.

The boy was rushed to hospital, however police confirmed he died shortly after.

The boy suffered a medical episode in the early afternoon on Good Friday (Image: Newsquest)

Now, people in the community around Lenham Gardens have described their shock and sadness following the incident.

One person, who did not wish to be named, said emergency services arrived at the scene after 1pm and they were there for “about half an hour”.

He said: “I know the dad but I didn’t know the boy. It’s really, really sad.”

John Grimes, 47, described seeing the emergency services arriving and lots of commotion.

The incident was described as “really sad” by one resident (Image: Newsquest)

He said: “I saw the air ambulance landing in the field behind the estate, and there were people stood around – some were filming.

“The boy wasn’t breathing and ended up going in the road ambulance and that was the last I heard about it.”

Another resident, who asked not to be named, said: “It’s really shocking and such a sad thing for the family.”

Greater Manchester Police said that there are not believed to be any suspicious circumstances, with enquiries ongoing.

The community around Lenham Gardens has been left shocked by the incident (Image: Newsquest)

A statement from the force said: “At around 1.30pm yesterday, officers responded to reports of a four-year-old boy suffering from a suspected medical episode in the Breightmet area of Bolton.

“Emergency services immediately responded and despite their best efforts, the child sadly died shortly after in hospital.

“There are not currently believed to be any suspicious circumstances and enquiries are currently taking place.”