A 12-year-old boy from Bishop Auckland has died in hospital after falling from the roof of a barn at Woodhouses, near Bishop Auckland. The incident, which left the child with serious injuries, occurred on Friday afternoon and prompted an immediate emergency response.
What happened and who is investigating
Police were alerted shortly before 2.45pm on Friday, 24 July after the youngster fell while with a group of friends. He was taken to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle upon Tyne for treatment but died on Tuesday afternoon as a result of his injuries.
Durham Constabulary is working alongside the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to establish the full circumstances surrounding the fall. Officers have confirmed the child has been named as Jaxon Robert Hubery, of Bishop Auckland. The investigation remains ongoing.
“Shortly before 2.45pm on Friday police were alerted to an incident in which a child had fallen from the roof of a barn at Woodhouses, near Bishop Auckland. The boy, who was with a group of friends at the time, sustained serious injuries and was taken to the Royal Victoria Infirmary, in Newcastle, for treatment.”
Community reaction and safety message
Jaxon's family have publicly thanked those who have offered support and are urging other parents to keep their children away from the area. The location, described as Woodhouses near Bishop Auckland, has drawn local concern as residents and families seek reassurance about access to disused or unsecured buildings.
Local authorities and partners will typically consider measures such as securing abandoned structures, increased patrols and community awareness campaigns where young people congregate in risky places. The HSE's involvement indicates investigators will assess whether any wider safety failings contributed to the tragedy.
Timeline
| Date/Time | Event |
|---|---|
| Shortly before 14:45, 24 July | Police alerted after boy falls from barn roof |
| 24 July | Child taken to Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle |
| 28 July (Tuesday afternoon) | Boy dies from his injuries; named as Jaxon Robert Hubery |
What parents and residents should know
Families in the area should be vigilant about children playing near or entering derelict buildings, barns and other unsupervised rural structures. Practical steps to reduce risk include:
- Speaking with children about the dangers of climbing on roofs and entering unsecured buildings.
- Reporting unsafe or derelict structures to the local council so they can be inspected and, if necessary, secured.
- Contacting police or the HSE if there are immediate safety concerns about a site.
The investigation by Durham Constabulary and the HSE is continuing. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Durham Constabulary to assist detectives.
This office will provide updates as further details are confirmed by the authorities.
