Death of 10-year-old boy in East Cape

The investigation into the death of a 10-year-old boy in Waikura Valley, East Cape is continuing.

The scene examination was completed late yesterday evening and the young boy's body was removed and returned to the Gisborne Hospital late last night.

A Forensic Post Mortem will be held in Palmerston North tomorrow morning to determine the cause of death and assist with the reconstruction of events leading up to the death.

Whilst the Police are still attempting to determine the circumstances leading up to and at the time of the death what has been established is that had the firearm at the centre of the investigation been secured correctly then this tragedy would certainly have been preventable.

The Police wish to reinforce to anyone who is in possession of any firearms or ammunition that they are secured correctly as required under the Arms Act, and for good reason.

This is the second fatal incident involving young children and a firearm that the CIB have attended and investigated in the last three years.