Boy, 10, dies after being given a 'high voltage' electric shock in Blackpool hotel reception

• ITV Granada Reports journalist Claire Hannah has the latest from Blackpool.

A schoolboy has died after he received a 'high voltage' electric shock in a hotel reception.

The 10-year-old boy was found unresponsive following the incident at Tiffany's Hotel, on Blackpool promenade, with injuries suggesting a "high voltage" of electricity.

He was taken to hospital in a critical condition after emergency services were called to the scene at around 10.40pm on Sunday 3 September, but he died four days later, on 7 September, surrounded by his family, police said.

Lancashire Police said: "A boy has sadly died following an incident at a Blackpool hotel. We were called to the Promenade, Blackpool, at 10.39pm on Sunday 3 September to reports a 10-year-old boy had been found unresponsive inside a hotel.

"He was taken to hospital with injuries consistent with coming into contact with a high voltage of electricity and very sadly died in hospital Thursday, 7 September.

"His family were by his bedside and our thoughts are with them at this time.

"Following an initial police investigation this matter has now been passed to the local authority. A file will be prepared for HM Coroner."

A spokesperson for the hotel said it was "heartbroken" by the news.

It said: "We are heartbroken by the news we have received today and our thoughts and prayers remain with the family at this distressing time.

"We will continue to provide the relevant authorities any assistance they need to carry out their investigations.

"The safety and comfort of our guests remains our number one priority and therefore we have taken the decision to voluntarily close whilst the investigations and our own inspections take place. Our phone lines remain open."

At the hotel a small tribute has been left on one of the stone lions next to the steps of the entrance.

It is a small statue of an angel with a pink crystal heart, with a handwritten note folded up and placed underneath.

That note reads: "Goodnight god bless little boy. Hugs and love to your family, love from Sue and Rob from Liverpool".

Across the resort hoteliers and business owners have spoken of their shock.

Daniel Edwards, 28, General Manager at the Canasta Hotel said: "I only found out this morning, My housekeeper told me.

"I did see emergency services there on Sunday. There were loads of ambulances and police cars. But I actually thought they were at a different hotel. And I had no idea what had happened at that stage.

"It was just a shock. Nobody around here can quite believe it. As a parent myself, I can't begin to imagine the pain the parents are feeling. There are obviously a lot of questions, about what's happened and why. I'm sure those will be answered in due course as the council is investigating it now.

"But for now my thoughts are just with the family."

Daniel Maier, a shopkeeper at a store just a short distance from the hotel, said: "I'm so shocked. It's awful. This is someone's life we're talking about and when it's a child as well. It's hard to comprehend.

"We are so close we get a lot of customers from Tiffany's. I've even been thinking have I seen the boy? If he was staying there we could well have done. It's just so, so sad."

Another hotelier who did want to be named, said: "It's incredibly sad. So tragic. So much so words are inadequate really.

"People come on holiday expecting to have a wonderful time and this is just the last thing anyone would ever expect to happen. I found out yesterday. No one knows what's happened yet.

"Obviously there's an investigation so all we can do is wait for the outcome of that. My thoughts are just with the family. I hope they are receiving lots of help and support in dealing with awful tragedy of losing a child."

A Blackpool Council spokesperson said: "We have been informed of the tragic death of a young boy following an incident at Tiffany’s Hotel. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this sad time.

"Our investigation is now underway and following our advice the owner of the hotel has agreed to a voluntary closure.

"If anyone has information to relating to this investigation they can email us hs.enforcement@blackpool.gov.uk."