Tractor Driver Arrested In Drink Drive Probe After 11-Year-Old Harry Witlam Killed At Swithens Farm, Rothwell

'A Tragic Accident'
The website of Swithens FARM
The website of Swithens FARM
Swithens Farm

A schoolboy who died after a collision with a tractor at a visitor attraction farm has been named.

Harry Whitlam, 11, was killed following the incident at Swithens Farm in the Rothwell area of Leeds yesterday.

According to the Yorkshire Post, Harry was working as a farm hand at the premises.

The driver of the tractor involved in the collision has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and drink driving.

The 48-year-old man was held following the incident at a Swithens Farm in Leeds on Friday morning.

Harry Whitlam was working as a farm hand at the time of the incident

The schoolboy was taken by air ambulance to Leeds General Infirmary but died last night following surgery.

A spokesman for West Yorkshire Police said: "The tractor driver, a 48-year-old local man, was arrested on suspicion of drink driving and causing death by dangerous driving.

"He has now been bailed pending continuing inquiries."

Officers were called at 9.20am yesterday by the ambulance service who were at the scene of the collision at Swithens Farm in the Rothwell area of Leeds.

Its visitor facilities include an open farm, play barn, shop and cafe.

A statement on the Swithens Farm website said: "There was a tragic accident on Friday 9th August and our thoughts are with [his] family.

"We're still not sure of the full circumstances but the accident happened on the working part of the fam. The farm shop, cafe and petting farm are open to the general public and we are trying to run the business as normal."

Alex Shelbrooke, Conservative MP for Elmet and Rothwell, told the BBC: "The community in Rothwell is very close and friendly so these tragic events will have sent a shockwave through the local community.

"My thoughts go straight away to the family of the boy who has tragically died."

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