The Cookstown community is ‘heartbroken’ following the tragic death of a toddler, marking the latest in a string of tragedies to hit Mid Ulster.
Local Ulster Unionist councillor Trevor Wilson said the ‘absolutely tragic accident’ is ‘every parent’s worst nightmare’.
Emergency services attended the scene of a ‘sudden death’ at a property in Cookstown on Sunday afternoon.
The Belfast Telegraph understands that the child, was a one-year-old toddler, and the youngest child of four.
It is believed that the toddler died as a result of choking.
“It’s unbelievable,” councillor Wilson told this newspaper.
“An absolute nightmare.”
Police attend the scene of a sudden death in the Burnvale Crescent area of Cookstown March 9, 2025 (Credit: Luke Jervis)
He added that the entirety of the Co Tyrone town has been ‘heartbroken and shocked’ by the news.
“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.”
Sudden death in the Burnvale Crescent area of Cookstown on the March 9, 2025 (Credit: Luke Jervis)
Funeral details will be released for the child at a later date, after a post-mortem has taken place.
Police have said they are investigating the circumstances surrounding a sudden death of a child at a house in the Burnvale Crescent area of Cookstown, on Sunday, March 9.
The PSNI spokesman added that ‘enquiries are continuing at this time’.
Burnvale Crescent area of Cookstown (Credit: Luke Jervis)
Other emergency services including the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) and the Air Ambulance also attended the scene.
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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