A six-year-old boy from St Helens, Merseyside, has tragically died after collapsing in his mother's arms while on the way to a walk-in centre. Leo Timney-Peers had been unwell throughout the day on Thursday, May 14, when he suddenly collapsed in the town centre. His mother, Keeley Timney, performed CPR on the young boy before two passers-by, a man and a woman, assisted in resuscitation efforts. An ambulance arrived and rushed Leo to Whiston Hospital, where he later died that same day.
Mother's Heartbreaking Tribute
Keeley Timney, a 20-year-old ancillary carer living in Parr, described her son as "full of life from the minute he woke up to when he went to bed." She told the Liverpool Echo: "He was bouncing off the walls and he was just a gorgeous character. Everyone loved him and he was always smiling. He always has the kindest heart and he was just amazing." She added: "He was kind-hearted, outgoing, and beautiful inside and out. He always tried to make people happy, if anyone was upset he was upset."
Community Support and Fundraiser
A GoFundMe page has been established to help Keeley and her family cover the costs of Leo's funeral. Keeley expressed her devastation: "I am absolutely devastated. I don't think it will ever feel real. It's just mental, he was perfect and he didn't deserve this. It's absolutely awful." She also thanked the strangers who helped: "Everyone tried their best when it happened. A man and woman were going past and they jumped in to help no questions asked. There were quite a few people surrounding us to try and help me while Leo was in the back of the ambulance." The fundraiser page reads: "We unfortunately lost our gorgeous boy Leo on the 14th May. Anyone who knew him knew that he was the most beautiful boy. He had a smile that could light up any room he walked on. He never failed to make us smile every single day. He had the most kindest heart."
School Closes in Mourning
In memory of Leo, his school, Broad Oak Primary School, closed to all pupils on Friday. A spokesperson for St Helens Council said: "We are deeply saddened by the loss of a child at Broad Oak Primary School, and our thoughts are with the family and the wider school community. The headteacher has closed the school today out of respect for the family and the devastating grief they face, felt also by pupils and staff."
Police Investigation Ongoing
Merseyside Police confirmed that emergency services were called at around 4:50 pm on May 14 after reports that a six-year-old boy had collapsed on Parr Street. A passer-by performed CPR until paramedics arrived. The child was pronounced dead at the hospital. A post-mortem will be carried out to establish the cause of death, and enquiries are ongoing. The family continues to await answers regarding the tragic incident.
