Probe launched after ‘unexplained’ death of child in Staffordshire woodland

Police have launched an investigation following the ‘unexplained’ death of a child in woodland near a Staffordshire village. 

Officers and an air ambulance rushed to a wooded area near Strawberry Lane in Great Wyrley after reports of a youngster in cardiac arrest at around 8.45am on Saturday.

But the child was pronounced dead by paramedics a short time later.

Staffordshire Police said the death was being treated as unexplained, with officers cordoning off a fishing lake in the Wyrley and Essington Branch Canal Local Nature Reserve.

The force has not confirmed the child’s age or released any further details.

Roads around the area were closed throughout the day as detectives continued to conduct their inquiries into the incident, remaining at the scene into the evening. 

Staffordshire Police said the child’s death was being treated as unexplained and officers remain at the scene

Pictures from the scene show a tend in the wooded area was near a pond

The circumstances surrounding the child’s death remain unclear. One witness said she directed paramedics towards the area around the fishing lake.

Drone images from the scene show at least four tents and camping chairs positioned next to each other, close to fishing platforms. 

Staffordshire Police said: ‘We were called to land off Strawberry Lane, Great Wyrley, at 8.45am today by colleagues from West Midlands Ambulance Service, who were responding to a report of a child in cardiac arrest.

‘Officers attended alongside Midlands Air Ambulance.

‘Sadly, the child was pronounced dead by paramedics a short time later.

‘The death is currently being treated as unexplained.

‘Officers remain at the scene.’