Eight-year-old boy crushed to death by falling tombstone and two friends injured as they played in cemetery 

• e-mail

An eight-year-old boy was crushed by a large grave stone after it toppled on top of him while he played in a Glasgow cemetery. 

Ciaran Williamson was pinned underneath the giant stone in the Craigton cemetery in the Cardonald area of Glasgow.

The youngster and his two friends climbed through a hole in the wall into the cemetery after 7pm last night and were climbing on a tree. Ciaran jumped from the tree onto the tombstone, which started to wobble and collapsed on top of the eight-year-old school boy.

Young Ciaran Williamson, pictured, was killed after he was crushed by a gravestone in a Glasgow cemetery

His friend Thomas McManus was one of two other boys who were injured in last night's tragic accident

The youngsters climbed through a hole in the wall, pictured, before playing amid the gravestones

Ciaran was raced to Yorkhill children's hospital where he later died. 

Ciaran's friend Thomas McManus, 10, witnessed the horrific accident. 

He said: 'We just walked through the hole in the wall into the graveyard and there was a tree that we were going to climb.

'Three of us climbed up it, including me and Ciaran, and when we jumped off and landed the top of the gravestone wobbled and fell over.

'It had a triangle bit at the top and it fell off and hit Ciaran in the face and me in the back too.

'Ciaran got knocked unconscious, there was blood coming out of his mouth and his eye.

'I was going to stay with him but the others were too scared to get his mum so I had to run all the way round and get his step dad and show him where it was.

'Then they phoned the ambulance and the police. The ambulance and police had to lift up the gravestone to get him out because he was stuck under it.

'It was really big. As tall as an adult. They're bigger at the bottom and then they have a point at the top.

'The other boy had half of his foot cut off. I didn't get to see Ciaran at the hospital.'

Thomas said he does not go to play in the cemetery very often, but that other local children use it because there are no playparks nearby.

The three boys climbed on top of a large grave stone, not pictured, in the Craigton Cemetery, pictured

The three friends were playing last night in Craigton cemetery in the Cardonald area of Glasgow, pictured

Police Scotland said they do not believe the tragedy was suspicious but are conducting an investigation

He said: 'There's nowhere else to go except for the school's playgrounds.

'I was crying afterwards and all this morning. I've not spoken to Ciaran's parents yet.

'Everyone's off school today because of it.'

It is understood that Ciaran attended the local Lourdes Primary School which is at the south side of the cemetery.

Pinned to the railings outside Ciaran's home are a number of tributes to the tragic schoolboy.

A Celtic football shirt placed by Thomas was among the flowers and teddy bears left in his memory.

On the football jersey, Thomas wrote: 'RIP Kieran. G.B.N.F Pal. Missed by T.J'

A note left on one bouquet read: 'You will always be missed Kieran. James, Sandra & TJ.'

Friends and relatives left floral tributes, a teddy bear and a Celtic jersey near the scene of the tragedy

The cemetery was closed to the public yesterday while police continued with their investigation 

His family released a short statement: 'We would like to take this opportunity to inform you that our son Ciaran James Williamson sadly passed away in a tragic accident at Craigton Crematorium.'

Police said they are investigating the full circumstances of the incident but it is not being treated as suspicious.

A Police Scotland spokeswoman said: 'Around 7.25pm on Tuesday May 26, police responded to reports of three boys having been injured within Craigton cemetery in the Cardonald area of Glasgow.

Ciaran's friend Thomas said they were playing in the graveyard because there are no other playgrounds in the area where they live

'An eight-year-old boy was taken to Yorkhill but unfortunately died. A 10-year-old boy was also taken to Yorkhill, where hospital staff described his condition as stable.

'Another 10-year-old boy was taken to South Glasgow University Hospital and has since been discharged.

'Inquiries are continuing to determine the full circumstances surrounding the incident, however officers are not treating it as suspicious.'

Health and Safety Exective said they were aware of the incident and are assisting police with the investigation.  

Police Scotland's Detective Inspector Tom McKean said: 'This is such a tragic set of circumstances and our thoughts are with Ciaran's family.

'Enquiries are ongoing however the incident is not being treated as suspicious and a full report will be submitted to the procurator fiscal.'

Locals, friends and relatives, including his father Ryan, have paid tribute to the youngster on social media.

He said: 'My boy this is not good bye because I’ll see you again soon buddy I love you to moon and back and not a second of a day that goes bye will I not miss you but your memory will be in our hearts forever

'We will never stop speaking about you so until we meet again wee man you sleep tight and remember dad loves and misses you more than words can describe.”

Isabella Henriques wrote: 'To Our Great Wee Nephew Ciaran Whose Wee Life was taken so Suddenly. You Will Always Be Remembered By Your Great Auntie Bella and Great Uncle Mike Our Deepest Sympathies to Your Dad and Mum Nans and Grandads and all your aunties and Uncles.'

Robert Thomson added: 'Ryan sorry to hear about the wee man, your wee bhoy was taking far too early and nothing anybody can say will change it but he will always be with you in your memories.

'Just try keep your chin up and your family round you and you know where I am anytime.'

Police remained on guard at the cemetery yesterday and floral tributes had been left.

One message read: 'RIP Ciaran, taken too soon. Heaven has gained a special angel. The Grainger family.xxx'

A Police Scotland spokeswoman said the incident was not being treated as suspicious and that a report would be sent to the procurator fiscal. 

Shocked locals said children often played in the cemetery.

Glasgow City Council said they offer their condolences to Ciaran's family following this tragedy 

One said: 'This is a terrible terrible thing to happen to someone and my heart goes out to the boy’s family.

'I usually hear groups of children and teenagers in the cemetery late on at night and it can cause a nuisance.

'It was actually very quiet when it happened and it was only when I saw an ambulance that I realised something must have happened in the cemetery because that is where the paramedics were going.

'The gate at that end of the cemetery is meant to be closed at night but the kids have found many other ways to get in and often just jump fences to get in.

'I don’t know exactly what happened but it is just tragic.

'But I can’t remember seeing children as young as eight or ten in their very often, however the later nights might mean they are being allowed out to play for longer.

'Nothing like this has ever happened in there since I’ve been living here, and I hope the other two boys who were involved are going to be okay.'

Glasgow City Council said it is assisting Police Scotland with the investigation.

A council spokesman added: 'This is a tragic incident and our hearts go out to the child's family and friends.'

Many tributes have been paid to Ciaran on social media.

On Twitter, local MSP Humza Yousaf also offered his condolences to the family.

He wrote: 'Thoughts with family young boy from Craigton who tragically died from what sounds like freak accident at Craigton Cemetery - very sad indeed.'