Northern Ireland

Child dies, woman and baby injured at Larne house - police 'not looking for anyone else in connection with the death'

 The scene on Bankhall Road, near Larne. Picture by Mal McCann
 The scene on Bankhall Road, near Larne. Picture by Mal McCann  The scene on Bankhall Road, near Larne. Picture by Mal McCann

A young child has died in an incident at a house near Larne, Co Antrim and a woman in her 30s and a baby have sustained injuries, police have confirmed.

Police said they are not looking for anyone else in connection with the child's death after an incident at a rural farmhouse on Bankhall Road on the outskirts of the Co Antrim town.

"Police can confirm that an investigation has commenced into the circumstances surrounding the death of a young child in the Larne area today," police said.

"A woman in her 30s and a baby are currently receiving hospital treatment for injuries.

"The investigation is at an early stage and police are currently not looking for anyone else in connection with the death."

A major police and emergency services operation has centred on the property at Bankhill Road throughout Monday.

Neighbours heard a helicopter and saw police and ambulances this morning.

A laneway to the property has been sealed off by officers and forensics experts are gathering evidence.

Neighbour Rhonda Kernohan said: "I heard the sirens and the helicopter, the air ambulance, came and it landed up at the back of the farm.

"We thought it was a farm accident but when we looked out there was a lot of shouting and a lot of police, a lot of ambulances about."

She added: "This is a quiet, rural, peaceful area."

Another neighbour said the woman who lived at the house was a "youngish girl".

They added: "It was very sad. We are feeling absolutely awful, so sad it is terrible.

"The shock of it, when it happens nearly on your doorstep."

The scene is at a house and outbuildings along a narrow lane high on a hillside overlooking Larne Lough, south of the port town of Larne.

White boilersuit-clad forensics experts combed the area for clues.

 A forensic officer at the scene on Bankhall Road, Larne. Picture by Mal McCann
 A forensic officer at the scene on Bankhall Road, Larne. Picture by Mal McCann  A forensic officer at the scene on Bankhall Road, Larne. Picture by Mal McCann
 A police cordon is in place on Bankhall Road, Larne. Picture by Mal McCann
 A police cordon is in place on Bankhall Road, Larne. Picture by Mal McCann  A police cordon is in place on Bankhall Road, Larne. Picture by Mal McCann