Boy dies in tractor crash

The driver of a tractor has been arrested on suspicion of drink driving after an 11-year-old boy died following a crash on a farm popular with visitors. Harry Whitlam died on Friday night, hours after the collision at Rothwell, near Leeds. Jon Hill reports.

Swithens Farm in Rothwell, where an 11-year-old boy was fatally injured after being hit by a tractor, have said they will stay open and try to carry on "as normal". In a statement on their website, the farm owners said:

The boy has been named as Harry Whitlam from the Wakefield area.

Police have named the 11-year-old boy who died after being hit by a tractor at a farm in Rothwell as Harry Whitlam, from the Wakefield area.

The tractor driver a, 48-year-old local man, was arrested on suspicion of drink driving and causing death by dangerous driving.

Detective Superintendent Scott Wood, of West Yorkshire Police, said: "We are continuing to investigate what has been a tragic incident with the Health and Safety Executive and are still appealing for witnesses to what occurred yesterday.

"Anyone who witnessed the incident is asked to contact West Yorkshire Police Major Collision Enquiry Team on 01924 293047 or via 101."

The 11-year-old boy's identity is expected to be released later.

He died after an operation yesterday - he had been hit by a tractor at Swithens Farm in Rothwell.

The owners of Swithens Farm, at Rothwell, West Yorkshire say the 11-year-old boy who died after being struck by a tractor, was hit on a working part of the farm.

The farm is a popular visitor attraction with a farm shop, cafe and petting area. The farm's website today states that those attractions remain "open to the general public and we are trying to run the business as normal."

The statement describes what happened as "a tragic accident" and says thoughts are with the victim's family. Police have arrested and bailed a 48-year-old man on suspicion of drink driving and causing death by dangerous driving. He has been released on bail while enquiries continue.

Swithens Farm in Rothwell, where an 11-year-old boy was hit by a tractor and later died, is a farm open to the public where children can interact with animals.

The boy - thought to be helping at the farm - was hit by a tractor's trailer at 9.30am yesterday, before the farm opened at 10am.

The 11-year-old, who has not yet been named, was taken to Leeds General Infirmary after being flown by the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

It's thought he was working as a farm hand at Swithens Farm in Rothwell, where his mother is also believed to work.

He suffered life-threatening injuries after being hit by the tractor’s trailer at 9.20am.

Police have released the following statement following the death of an 11-year-old boy at a farm in Rothwell.

An 11-year-old boy has died after being hit by a tractor at a family farm in West Yorkshire.

The boy was hit yesterday morning at Swithens Farm in Rothwell and died after an emergency operation last night.

A 48-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of drink driving and causing death by dangerous driving.