Boy, nine, who died after locker fell on him 'was a sparkle in our school'
Leo Latifi was described by his headteacher Maria Rumsey as an "avid scientist" whose "face lit up the classroom".
Friday 24 May 2019 23:24, UK
Tributes are being paid to a nine-year-old boy who died after a locker fell on him at a school in Essex.
Leo Latifi was described by his headteacher Maria Rumsey as an "avid scientist" whose "face lit up the classroom".
The Year 4 pupil had been with family members at an after-school swimming club at Great Baddow High School in Chelmsford when the incident happened.
Police were called just after 6pm on Thursday after the boy fell from the locker and became trapped underneath it.
Leo, who was not a pupil at the school, later died in hospital.
Ms Rumsey, headteacher at St Michael's Primary School, said he would be "greatly missed by all".
"Leo was a sparkle in our school," she said. "His face lit up the classroom and his mischievous blue eyes made us all smile.
"He was an avid scientist, who only on Wednesday, was in his element hunting for bugs on the school field.
"Leo was always keen to share his model-building and wowed the class when he brought in the finished masterpieces!
"He had a wide circle of friends in the year group, all of whom will miss him greatly."
An Essex Police spokesman said officers were liaising with the Health and Safety Executive.
A statement on the Great Baddow High School's website said it was closed on Friday "due to exceptional circumstances", except for Year 11 and Year 13 students sitting exams.
The school is described on its website as a "happy, safe and successful 11-18 school".