Three Year Old Girl Dies In York

A three year old girl has died at a play area in York.

It's thought she was being looked after at the nursery at York College.

North Yorkshire Police have cordoned off the area on Sim Balk Lane.

Detectives are investigating as she suffered serious injuries and sadly was pronounced dead in hospital.

The force don't believe there's anything suspicious around her death as it appears she got entangled in a piece of play equipment

Ofsted and the Health and Safety Executive have been told.

Pictured Lydia Bishop:

North Yorkshire Police Statement UD:

The family of Lydia Bishop, aged three, who died in a tragic accident at York College’s day nursery on Monday 17 September 2012, have released a photograph of her.

Detective Chief Inspector Nigel Costello, of York Protecting Vulnerable Person’s Unit, said:

“This was an extremely tragic accident which unfortunately happened during Lydia’s first day at nursery.

“Her family are understandably very distressed and are being supported by specially trained police officers as they try to come to terms with their loss.

“Officers are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding this incident with various other agencies to try and establish how this tragic event occurred.”

North Yorkshire Police Statement:

North Yorkshire Police were called by the Ambulance Service at around 2.35pm on Monday 17 September after a three-year-old girl suffered serious injuries in a play area at York College, on Sim Balk Lane.

The girl was taken to York District Hospital, where sadly she was pronounced dead.

The scene is currently cordoned off as officers investigate the incident.

At this stage, police do not believe there are any suspicious circumstances and it appears that the girl has become entangled in a piece of play equipment.

The police are carrying out an investigation into the incident to establish exactly what happened and would like anyone who was in the area at the time to contact them on 101.

Ofsted and the Health and Safety Executive have been informed.

The nursery will be closed tomorrow (Tuesday 18 September 2012).

York College Statement:

York College is absolutely devastated at the news of the very sad death of a child, following the tragic incident at the York College Nursery yesterday.

Our thoughts are with the child’s family and the children, families and staff at York College Nursery.

Currently York College staff are helping the emergency services with their enquiries and the nursery is closed today.

Parents have been informed and will be kept updated with any further developments.

City of York Council Statement:

Statement from Pete Dwyer, Director Adults, Children and Education:

‘City of York Council can confirm the tragic death today of a 3 year old child. All relevant agencies are aware and will be working together over the next few days.

'Our thoughts are with the family of the child and staff at the nursery.’

Update - York College Nursery

The City of York Safeguarding Children Board’s (CYSCB) Manager, Joe Cocker, stated:

“It is impossible to imagine what the parents must be going through, and my thoughts are with the family at what is an extremely difficult and upsetting time. They are currently being supported by specially-trained officers from North Yorkshire Police and it would be appreciated if their privacy is respected as they try and come to terms with their loss.

"This also is a very difficult time for the staff at the nursery and everyone at York College.

"A multi-agency investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of this young child is underway, involving the police, City of York Safeguarding Children Board (CYSCB), Ofsted and the Health & Safety Executive.

“The CYSCB is working closely with partners to coordinate the enquiries of the various agencies in order to understand what happened and why it happened. Most importantly, at this stage, there is a need to ensure that support is provided to the family, the families of children who attend the nursery and the nursery staff.

"The investigation is at a very early stage and it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time."