Conker boy dies impaled on fence

Lewis John Read was a popular boy with people of all ages

A 12-year-old boy has died after impaling himself on railings while collecting conkers with friends at a cricket ground in South Yorkshire.

Firefighters had to cut free Lewis John Read, from Rotherham, before he was airlifted to hospital in Sheffield.

He underwent surgery on Wednesday night but later died.

An inquiry has begun into the accident at the ground in Gildlingwells Road, Woodsetts, Rotherham. An inquest was opened and adjourned on Friday.

Compassionate nature

In a statement his family said: "Lewis was a very popular lad, with people of all ages, from infants through to pensioners. He was such a likeable lad, mainly because of his caring compassionate nature, which made him many friends.

"He would always help other children in his class at school and his teachers referred to him as "Tigger" owing to the fact that he could never sit still.

"Because of his kind manner, we always believed he would go into a caring profession when he was older.

"Lewis loved animals, and had four pet chickens that he looked after daily. He often went fishing with his Dad but never caught any, which is probably just as well, because he would have no doubt been upset if he had done.

"His pet hamsters and goldfish were buried by him in the back garden when they died. Lewis's organs will be donated. We know he would want to help other people in this way.

"The family are struggling to come to terms with Lewis's death and he will be missed so much by so many people.

"We would also wish to appeal to other parents, not just in this area, to impress upon their children the dangers of climbing and to be aware of what dangers may be around them while they are out playing."

Funeral arrangements will be announced later.