Boy, 6, dies after sudden collapse as Merseyside school shuts and police issue statement

A six-year-old boy has tragically died after collapsing in a Merseyside town centre. Broad Oak Community Primary School in St Helens has closed today out of respect for the young boy’s family. The school said it was "deeply saddened" by the loss of the youngster who died died at hospital after collapsing on Parr Street in St Helens town centre on Thursday, the Liverpool Echo reports . Merseyside Police said in a statement: “We can confirm that emergency services were in attendance following the death of a child in St Helens yesterday, Thursday, May 14. "At around 4.50pm we received a call that a six-year-old boy had collapsed on Parr Street and a passer-by carried out CPR until emergency services arrived at the scene. "Sadly the child was pronounced deceased at hospital and his family is being supported. A post-mortem will be carried out to establish the full circumstances and cause of death and enquiries are ongoing." 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." Reform UK's Parr Ward Facebook page confirmed the school was closed this morning. Cllr Janet Rowlands said: "Broad Oak Primary School is closed to all pupils today. Parents/guardians will be contacted by the school in due course. Thank you for your cooperation." Cllr Rowlands and her colleagues, Cllrs Mal Webster and Daniel Axeworthy, later added: "To add to my earlier post, please note that the senior management took the difficult decision to close Broad Oak Primary school as a sign of respect. "Please let's not speculate until all the information is known."