Boy, 4, killed when gravestone fell on him in freak cemetery accident is pictured

The little boy tragically crushed by a falling gravestone in a freak cemetery accident at the weekend has been pictured for the first time.

Four-year-old Eli Testa was visiting Rawtenstall Cemetery in Lancashire on Saturday when thegrave marker fell on him. Emergency responders rushed to the scene, but despite their best efforts he couldn't be saved.

Tributes have been pouring in for the youngster, who has been described as a "bright soul who brought joy in the purest, most magical way"

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Eli's grieving mum and dad, Jessica and Tommy Testa, were comforted by relatives yesterday as they visited the scene - where mourners had left flowers and a teddy bear.

In a moving tribute, friend of the family Zena Shaw said: "There are no words for the pain of losing Eli a beautiful, bright soul who brought joy in the purest, most magical way.

"To Jess and Tommy… thank you for letting me be there, for letting me hold his hand and say goodbye. That moment, though impossible, was filled with so much love. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but the greatest gift you could have given me."

She added that she would carry her memories of the youngster for the rest of her life. "He was light. He is love. Rest gently sweet boy. You are so deeply loved, always," she added.

More than £9,000 has already been raised on a GoFundMe page set up by Eli's great aunt, Donna Miller, following the youngster's tragic death, the Manchester Evening News reports.

In a post yesterday, she wrote: "Yesterday my niece, Jessica and her husband Tommy tragically lost their son Eli due to a freak accident in Rawtenstall Cemetery. The family are truly devastated.

"I am setting up this page to help raise funds for them to finance Eli’s funeral costs and somehow to help them carry on for their other two children Jasper and Cecilia. All donations no matter how small will help this young family massively and help them deal with this unexpected tragedy."

Messages of support for the family have been posted, with one writing: "My heart is broken for you all .. such a tragedy. Love to you all at this incredibly tough time xx"

Another said: "So sorry to hear this very sad news. Thinking of all the family and sending lots of love xxx."

Politicians in Rossendale were among those paying tribute to the youngster at the weekend.

Andy McNae MP said: "My thoughts go out to the family and everyone affected by the tragic incident in Rawtenstall cemetery today which has claimed the life of a four year old boy, whose death is not being treated as suspicious."

Councillor Liz McInnes added: "This is a terrible tragedy. My heartfelt and deepest sympathies to the family of this poor boy. The whole of Rawtenstall is grieving."

Lancashire Police said in a statement: “As many of you are already aware there was a tragic incident in Rawtenstall yesterday and we just wanted to give you the latest.

“We were called to Rawtenstall Cemetery at 1pm yesterday (July 5) following reports a gravestone had fallen onto a child.

“Tragically, and despite the best efforts of the emergency services, the boy sadly died. Our thoughts are with his loved ones at this devastating time.

“His death is not being treated as suspicious and a file will be passed onto HM Coroner in due course.”

Police said the boy’s family have asked for privacy.

Rossendale Borough Council, responsible for the cemetery in Rawtenstall, first established in 1877 and covering 17 acres, said in a statement: “We are deeply saddened by the tragic death of a young child at Rawtenstall Cemetery today.

“Our thoughts are with the family at this devastating time. Rossendale Borough Council is working with all relevant agencies to understand the circumstances of this incident.”