Boy (3) dies after becoming trapped in lift in Galway

Two inquiries are underway into the circumstances surrounding the death of a three year-old boy in a lift incident in Galway city earlier this evening.

The three-year-old, believed to be of Nigerian parentage, sustained fatal injuries in the incident which occurred at about 3pm in the lift of the multi-storey Hynes Building in Augustine Street.

It is understood that he and his three siblings were with his mother, who was attending the Department of Social Protection offices on the first floor of the building.

Two units of Galway Fire Brigade, ambulances, gardaí and a doctor attended after the alarm was raised.

The boy was pronounced dead at the scene, and his body was removed for a post mortem to University Hospital, Galway.

The area within the building has been sealed off for forensic examination, and the Health and Safety Authority and Gardai are conducting inquiries.

It is understood that the boy’s family lives on the east side of Galway city.