Police called in to investigate death of four-year-old boy who died at Center Parcs

Wiltshire Police has confirmed it is working with a coroner to investigate the death of a four-year-old boy at Center Parcs on Christmas Eve.

Officers from the Wiltshire Police department and the South Western Ambulance Service were called to the scene at the leisure complex of Longleat Center Parcs resort at approximately 11am on 24 December following reports of a 'serious medical incident'.

A police spokesperson later announced the young boy had passed away 'following an incident' at the park, and that his death was 'not being treated as suspicious'.

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In an update on 26 December, a spokesperson said the department is now working with the coroner on the case.

They said: "We are working alongside HM Coroner for Wiltshire and Swindon following the death of a four-year-old boy at Center Parcs, Longleat.

"A post-mortem will take place in due course, however, at this time there are not believed to be any suspicious circumstances and our thoughts remain with the family at this difficult time."

Holidaymakers who have been visiting Center Parcs over the Christmas period have said the swimming pool remained closed throughout the day due to the incident.

A mother-of-five who is staying at the park spoke to the PA news agency on Boxing Day, saying: “Thankfully we didn’t see anything. We noticed a big crowd all leaving the plaza.

“We were headed back to our lodge to have lunch before swimming. I checked my phone and saw the pool was closed due to an incident. Obviously that’s all we knew originally."

Andrew Harker / Alamy Stock Photo

“The plaza is all open, the parc market, gift shops, etc – there is just a temporary barrier across the entrance to the pool itself," the guest continued.

“If I hadn’t been on the group or seen the announcement on the news, I’d have been none the wiser. It’s very quiet though… It does say there’ll be an announcement later on today re the pool.”

Center Parcs confirmed the pool was reopened on Christmas Day morning.

In a statement on the incident, the resort said: “We are deeply saddened by the tragic news that a young guest has passed away at Longleat Forest today.

“We are offering our support to the family and to our employees who provided immediate assistance. Our thoughts remain with the family at this very difficult time.”

The Wiltshire branch of the holiday village resort company is situated across 400 acres of land in Longleat Forest. The Subtropical Swimming Paradise water park is located inside the resort and remains at 29.5°C all year round.