Boy dies after sand tunnel collapses

Police were today investigating the death of a 16-year-old boy who died after a tunnel dug in sand dunes collapsed.

Emergency services were called to the beach at Cefn Sidan, near Burry Port, west Wales, last night when the tunnel fell around him.

The teenager, from Wrexham, north Wales, had been on holiday with his family and friends.

He was playing with a group of up to 15 other children in the dunes behind the beach when he got trapped about 7pm.

Burry Port Coastguard Rescue Team, an air ambulance and police and fire officers attended the scene.

The boy was dug out of the sand and paramedics from the air ambulance tried to resuscitate him.

A Dyfed-Powys Police spokeswoman said he was airlifted to Morriston Hospital, in Swansea, but had since died.

She said the teenager's parents had been told of his "tragic" death. His name would not be released until his immediate family had been informed, she said.

A Mid and West Wales Fire Service spokeswoman said three fire engines including one carrying specialist equipment attended the scene to help with the rescue.

Dave Hughes, watch manager at Swansea Coastguard, said yesterday: "Our sympathy goes out to the family following this tragic death and it has been a difficult day for our Coastguard Rescue Team and other rescuers involved today.

"With school holidays in full swing we want to warn families to be aware of the dangers of tunnelling in sand.

"Wet sand as we have had today after rain makes it easier for tunnelling, but sand is always very unstable and heavy and can collapse at any time."