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Harry Starrett, six, dies on family farm in Armagh | Harry Starrett, six, dies on family farm in Armagh |
(35 minutes later) | |
The sudden death of a six-year-old boy on a County Armagh farm was due to natural causes, not a farm accident, according to his family's minister. | The sudden death of a six-year-old boy on a County Armagh farm was due to natural causes, not a farm accident, according to his family's minister. |
Harry Starrett was found unconscious in a milking parlour on his grandparent's farm on Ballynahonemore Road, just outside Armagh city, on Tuesday. | Harry Starrett was found unconscious in a milking parlour on his grandparent's farm on Ballynahonemore Road, just outside Armagh city, on Tuesday. |
An ambulance was called to the farm at 17:15 BST but the child died. | An ambulance was called to the farm at 17:15 BST but the child died. |
Canon John McKegney said preliminary results of a post mortem examination suggest the cause of death was natural. | |
He said the tests had ruled out initial reports that the child may have been overcome by slurry gases. | |
The death is still the subject of a farm investigation by the Health and Safety Executive Northern Ireland (HSENI). | |
'Shocked' | 'Shocked' |
Canon John McKegney, told the BBC: "It has been reported that it was fumes, but actually he wasn't anywhere near the slurry pit, he was in the milking parlour. | |
"Before the cattle came in he was pulling down the clusters, which is something he often did and helped his grandfather in that way. | "Before the cattle came in he was pulling down the clusters, which is something he often did and helped his grandfather in that way. |
"When his grandfather went in, just after him, he was lying unconscious and never recovered." | "When his grandfather went in, just after him, he was lying unconscious and never recovered." |
Canon McKegney is a retired minister from St Mark's Parish Church in Armagh and will conduct Harry's funeral later this week. | Canon McKegney is a retired minister from St Mark's Parish Church in Armagh and will conduct Harry's funeral later this week. |
He described the child as a "bright, cheerful" boy. | He described the child as a "bright, cheerful" boy. |
"(He was) full of beans, full of life full of joy and someone who absolutely idolised the farm," he said. | "(He was) full of beans, full of life full of joy and someone who absolutely idolised the farm," he said. |
Agriculture Minister Michelle O'Neill said: "I was shocked and saddened to learn of the death of this young boy. | Agriculture Minister Michelle O'Neill said: "I was shocked and saddened to learn of the death of this young boy. |
"My thoughts and prayers go to his family and friends at this difficult time." | "My thoughts and prayers go to his family and friends at this difficult time." |
'Devastated' | 'Devastated' |
DUP councillor Freda Donnelly, who knows the family well, said: "Harry was a lovely, friendly, happy-go-lucky wee boy who just loved farming. | DUP councillor Freda Donnelly, who knows the family well, said: "Harry was a lovely, friendly, happy-go-lucky wee boy who just loved farming. |
"The family are very well known and highly respected in the area. Anyone I have spoken to is absolutely devastated. The death of a child is every parent's worst nightmare." | "The family are very well known and highly respected in the area. Anyone I have spoken to is absolutely devastated. The death of a child is every parent's worst nightmare." |
President of the Ulster Farmers Union Harry Sinclair said everyone was in a state of shock. | President of the Ulster Farmers Union Harry Sinclair said everyone was in a state of shock. |
"Our thoughts go to that family and the whole agriculture community will be thinking of that family," he said. | "Our thoughts go to that family and the whole agriculture community will be thinking of that family," he said. |
Lord Mayor of Armagh Robert Turner said: "The entire area is in a state of shock that a six-year-old boy has lost his life," he said. | Lord Mayor of Armagh Robert Turner said: "The entire area is in a state of shock that a six-year-old boy has lost his life," he said. |
"I know his family and I wish to pass on my sincere condolences." | "I know his family and I wish to pass on my sincere condolences." |
Cathal Boylan, who is an Sinn Féin MLA for the Newry and Armagh area, described the death as "an absolute tragedy". | Cathal Boylan, who is an Sinn Féin MLA for the Newry and Armagh area, described the death as "an absolute tragedy". |
"Both I and my Sinn Féin colleagues, and indeed the whole community, will be thinking of this child's family in the days and weeks ahead," he said. | "Both I and my Sinn Féin colleagues, and indeed the whole community, will be thinking of this child's family in the days and weeks ahead," he said. |