A COMMUNITY has been left in "shock" following the sudden death of a teenager in Co Down.
The boy, understood to be 14-years-old, died in the Kennedy Square area of Downpatrick.
Police and emergency services were called to the area shortly after 11am. Among them were paramedics on board the charity Air Ambulance, which landed in the grounds of the nearby Downpatrick Presbyterian Church.
A PSNI spokesperson said officers attended a sudden death incident, but added no further details were available.
The Ambulance Service said two emergency crews were dispatched to the scene alongside the air ambulance "following a medical incident at a private address in the Kennedy Square area".
The SDLP's Colin McGrath spoke of the mood in the town, saying "the whole community in Downpatrick is in shock".
He added: "My heart goes out to the family and friends following this tragic incident. Losing a loved one is always a terribly painful experience and I can’t imagine what they are going through at this difficult time.
"I would ask that people respect this family’s privacy as they come to terms with their unimaginable loss. I’m sure the local community in Downpatrick will come together, rally around them and provide support in the weeks and months ahead."