A seven-year-old boy died yesterday afternoon in Whithorn, Westmoreland, after a goalpost on his school's playing field fell and hit him on the head.

He is Nicholas Hamilton, a grade-one student at the Coke View Primary School in the parish.

Police reports are that some time around midday, the boy was playing on the field during his lunch break.

It is reported that close to midday, during the lunch break, Hamilton was among a group of students playing on the school's playground.

It is reported that the young boy and other students attempted to lift a goalpost that was on the field.

In the process of lifting the heavy piece of metal, it reportedly fell and hit Hamilton on the head.

He was rushed to the Savanna-la-Mar hospital, where he died while undergoing treatment for his head injuries.

freak accident

THE STAR tried unsuccessfully to speak with the school's principal. A police source said she had to seek medical attention following the freak accident which also left other students and teachers distressed.

Meanwhile, The Ministry of Education in a release, expressed its condolences to Hamilton's family, as well as the school and community.

"A critical response team from the guidance and counselling unit of the ministry has been mobilised to offer counselling to students and staff of Coke View Primary and Nicholas' family," the release stated.