A heartbroken mother has shared the tragic story of her six-year-old son, Leo Timney-Peers, who died unexpectedly in her arms while they were on their way to a walk-in centre in St Helens, Merseyside. Despite the valiant efforts of two passers-by who rushed to help, Leo could not be saved.
Mother's Account of the Tragedy
Keeley Timney, 20, described her son as 'full of life' and said he had been unwell all day on Thursday, May 14, before she decided to take him to a walk-in centre. As they walked along Parr Street, Leo collapsed in her arms. Keeley immediately began performing CPR, and two strangers, a man and a woman, stopped to assist her in trying to resuscitate the child.
An ambulance arrived and rushed Leo to Whiston Hospital, but despite the best efforts of medical staff, he was pronounced dead later that day. Speaking to the Liverpool Echo, Keeley said: '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. Everyone tried their best but there was nothing that anyone could say to make it better. We still don't know why this happened.'
Tributes to a 'Gorgeous Character'
Paying tribute to her only child, Keeley added: 'He was just full of life from the minute he woke up to when he went to bed. 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 described him as 'kind-hearted, outgoing, and beautiful inside and out,' adding that he always tried to make others happy.
Community Support and Fundraiser
A GoFundMe page has been set up to help the family cover funeral costs, as they await answers about the cause of Leo's death. In an emotional message on the fundraiser, Keeley wrote: '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. We are setting this up to give our boy the send off he deserves. He deserves the whole entire world and we can only try to give him that. Any contribution whether that be sending money or just simply sharing is appreciated very much. Thank you for reading. Let's give my gorgeous baby the best, because he genuinely was the best.'
School and Police Response
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.'
Merseyside Police confirmed that emergency services attended the scene on Thursday, May 14, at around 4.50pm after a six-year-old boy collapsed on Parr Street. A passer-by performed CPR until paramedics arrived. The child was pronounced deceased at hospital, and a post-mortem will be carried out to establish the cause of death. Enquiries are ongoing.
