This is the first photo of a tragic four-year-old boy who was sadly crushed to death when a heavy gravestone cross tumbled onto him over the weekend.
Paramedics and police were unable to save the little boy, named locally as Eli Testa, after they were called out to Rawtenstall Cemetery on Saturday afternoon.
Tributes from loved ones have now flooded in for the ‘beautiful, bright soul who brought joy in the purest, most magical way’.
Eli’s parents, Jessica and Tommy Testa, stood with other family members yesterday sobbing and hugging each other as they visited the scene of the tragedy.
A woman – believed to be the boy’s mother – also stood silently at the graveside. Others left floral tributes and a teddy bear. The young boy, who had autism, also leaves behind his two siblings Jasper and Cecilia.
Others left floral tributes and a teddy bear. The young boy, who had autism, also leaves behind his two siblings Jasper and Cecilia.
One family friend Zena Shaw said in a moving tribute: ‘There are no words for the pain of losing Eli a beautiful, bright soul who brought joy in the purest, most magical way.
‘To Jess and Tommy… thank you for letting me be there, for letting me hold his hand and say goodbye. That moment, though impossible, was filled with so much love. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but the greatest gift you could have given me.’
‘I will carry Eli with me for the rest of my life. He was light. He is love. Rest gently sweet boy,’ she said. ‘You are so deeply loved, always.’
Lancashire Police said Eli’s death is not being treated as suspicious and a file will be sent to the coroners’ office.
Rossendale Council also confirmed that it was working with the relevant authorities to determine the circumstances of the tragedy, which occurred around 1pm.
Local authorities have responsibility for maintaining graveyards and ensuring they are safe for visitors.
The boy’s aunt Donna Miller has now set up a GoFundMe page in memory of Eli.
On the fundraising site she said: ‘Yesterday my niece, Jessica and her husband Tommy tragically lost their son Eli due to a freak accident in Rawtenstall Cemetery.
‘The family are truly devastated. I am setting up this page to help raise funds for them to finance Eli’s funeral costs and somehow to help them carry on for their other two children Jasper and Cecilia.
‘All donations no matter how small will help this young family massively and help them deal with this unexpected tragedy.’
Other tributes laid at the site of the tragedy read: ‘Our Darling Eli, Our Little Chaos Boy.
‘I hope you’re playing with the angels and that super grandad is giving you all the cuddles and kisses that we no longer can. We will love you and remember you always until we see you again.’
Another, attached to a bouquet of brightly-coloured sunflowers and chrysanthemums, said: ‘Vibrant flowers for our vibrant boy.’
Andy MacNae, MP for Rossendale and Darwen, said: ‘My thoughts go out to the family and everyone affected by the tragic incident in Rawtenstall cemetery, which has claimed the life of a four-year-old boy.’
While councillor Liz McInnes, lead member for communities, housing, health and well-being at Rossendale Council, said the ‘whole of Rawtenstall is grieving’ the boy’s death.
‘This is a terrible tragedy,’ she said. ‘My heartfelt and deepest sympathies to the family of this poor boy. The whole of Rawtenstall is grieving.’
A council spokesman said: ‘We are deeply saddened by the tragic death of a young child at Rawtenstall Cemetery on Saturday. Our thoughts are with the family at this devastting time.
‘Rossendale Borough Council is working with all relevant agencies to understand the circumstances of this incident.’
