A toddler believed to have died as a result of choking in Co Tyrone has been named as Emily Whinnery.
The 15-month-old girl died suddenly at a property in Cookstown on Sunday afternoon.
Emergency services attended the scene on Burnvale Crescent including the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) and the Air Ambulance.
A Service of Thanksgiving for Emily’s Life will take place in Derryloran Parish Church on Friday, March 14 at 1:30pm, followed by burial in Cookstown Cemetery.
Mourners have been asked to wear bright colours to celebrate Emily’s life with any donations going to the Air Ambulance charity.
Sudden death in the Burnvale Crescent area of Cookstown on the March 9, 2025 (Credit: Luke Jervis)
A death notice states that “baby Emily Whinnery passed into God’s Heavenly Kingdom”.
“Beloved Daughter of Stacey Whinnery and Blane Gordon, much adored Sister of Rhys, Charlie and Riley, loving Granddaughter of Hazel (Keith) and Stephen (Joyce) and cherished Niece of Laura, Kirsty (Corey), Nicole (Ryan) and Nikita (John),” it adds.
“Forever loved and missed by the entire Whinnery, Holdsworth, Donaghy and Gordon Family Circle.
“The smallest of feet have the power to leave big and everlasting footprints on our hearts.”
The Belfast Telegraph understands the toddler died as a result of choking.
Burnvale Crescent area of Cookstown (Credit: Luke Jervis)
Local Ulster Unionist councillor Trevor Wilson said the ‘absolutely tragic accident’ is ‘every parent’s worst nightmare’.
“It’s unbelievable,” he told this newspaper.
“An absolute nightmare.”
Mr Wilson added that the entirety of the town has been ‘heartbroken and shocked’ by the news which is the latest in a string of tragedies to hit mid Ulster.
“The people of Cookstown are in complete shock at what happened on Sunday and my thoughts and prayers are with the family at this time. It’s absolutely terrible.”
Police have said they are investigating the circumstances surrounding the sudden death and that ‘enquiries are continuing at this time’.
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Fellow Mid Ulster Councillor, Kerri Martin, who lives near the estate where the incident occurred, also sent her thoughts and condolences to the child’s family and all of their loved ones.
“Mid Ulster has been battered with tragedies in recent weeks, particularly with so many deaths of young people,” the SDLP representative continued.
“It’s just awful. My thoughts and prayers, and everyone in Cookstown’s thoughts and prayers, are with everyone involved.”
Politicians have further called for those on social media to not speculate over the conditions and names of people involved.
“Mid Ulster has been battered with tragedies in recent weeks”
On Monday, SDLP Councillor Denise Johnston also said that she is “absolutely shocked to once again hear that another child has died in Mid Ulster” and referenced Caitlin-Rose McMullan (11) who was recently buried on Sunday.
The Bellaghy schoolgirl died shortly after being struck by a car last Wednesday afternoon.
The incident happened just outside the village of Castledawson, near her family home on Broagh Road, shortly after she had exited a school bus.
She was rushed to hospital in Belfast but sadly succumbed to her injuries.
The funeral of teenager Callum Quinn also took place on Sunday morning at The Church of The Holy Family, Plater’s Hill.
The 18-year-old from Coalisland passed away after a single-vehicle crash involving a black Peugeot 207 on Coalisland Road outside Dungannon, shortly before 11pm last Tuesday night.
In a separate crash last month, police confirmed that a woman who died in a crash just outside the Cookstown area was 43-year-old Leanne Thomas.
Elsewhere in Mid Ulster, almost a fortnight ago, murder victim Adam Krzan (71) was found dead in Dungannon. He died as a result of serious injuries following an assault at a flat in Corrainey Park.
All four people arrested in connection with his murder have been released by police.
News Catch Up – Monday 10th March