Schoolboy involved in freak accident dies in hospital

Leon Connon (14) collapsed on railing in Orchards Estate, Kinsale, Co Cork

Leon Connon collapsed while out with friends. Photograph: Provision
Leon Connon collapsed while out with friends. Photograph: Provision

A 14-year-old schoolboy injured in a freak accident when he became trapped in railings near his home in Kinsale at the weekend has died in hospital in Cork.

Leon Connon passed away yesterday at Cork University Hospital from the serious injuries sustained when he collapsed while out with friends in Kinsale over the weekend.

He was with friends at the Orchards Estate near the Compass Hill area of the town at about 7pm on Saturday when he began to feel ill and went to rest against a railing.

He suddenly became weak and collapsed on top of the railing and his neck and head were wedged between the rounded tops of the railing and his airways became blocked.

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The boy’s friends raised the alarm and his mother, Dearbhail, and a neighbour raced to the scene and managed to free him before the emergency services arrived.

Gardaí said they were treating the death as a tragic accident but will now prepare a file for an inquest at the Coroner’s Court.

Barry Roche

Barry Roche

Barry Roche is Southern Correspondent of The Irish Times