Missing Boy Died 'After Slipping Into Pipe'

Conley Thompson's grandmother says she is "shellshocked" and describes him as a lovely boy whose "smile could light up a room".

Child's Body Found On Building Site

A seven-year-old boy who was found dead on a building site got trapped after slipping into a pipe, according to his grandmother.

Conley Thompson went missing on Sunday evening after failing to return home from a park in Barnsley, South Yorkshire.

Grandmother Deborah Fraser said she was "shellshocked" by his death and revealed his family had warned him not to play at the site.

"He got in through a hole at the top and with it raining it was slippy. Apparently he just slipped into a vertical pipe.

"God only knows how that little seven-year-old must have (felt). His brain must have been all over the place trying to get out.

"I know he would have been trying to get out."

The police found the body at around 8.30am on Monday at the site on Bank End Road, Worsbrough.

Forensic experts at the site

Formal identification has still to take place. 

Conley had last been seen at Locke Park at 8pm on Sunday and was reported missing after failing to return to his home on Underwood Avenue.

 Conley Was 'A Lovely Little Lad'

He was last seen wearing a blue checked shirt, red shoes, a black coat and brown trousers.

"As a person he was a lovely little lad, boisterous, got into anything and everything but his smile could light up a room," his grandmother said.

"It's not even sunken in now that he's gone.

"I'm stood next to the place where he died and I'm thinking 'what the hell were you doing Conley in a place like this?'"

People have been laying flowers and teddy bears next to the building site.

Wayne Bolton went to the building site his four-year-old son to pay his respects.

He said: "I can't begin to imagine what that family are going through.

"It was such a tragic accident, hopefully, and we just want to show support for the family and to be fair the whole community has turned up.

"It's shocked everyone and everyone is in bits and luckily, in an area like this, everyone comes together and we all help each other."

Detective Inspector Victoria Short, who is leading the investigation, said: "We deployed our full resources with officers searching throughout the night to find Conley and we are deeply saddened by this tragic development.

"While it is early in the investigation, the death is being treated as unexplained and a post-mortem examination will take place in due course.

"Our thoughts remain with Conley's family and friends at this very difficult time."