An 11-year-old girl rang her mum ‘screaming’ after she discovered a dead body during a PE lesson at school – Smestow Academy in Wolverhampton had to close earlier today
A young girl was left shaken and “screaming” after she stumbled across the body of a man during a school PE lesson.
The body was found by the pupil, an 11-year-old girl, as she went out onto the playing fields at Smestow Academy in Wolverhampton. The discovery occurred at around 10am today.
“My daughter phoned her mom up, screaming, and told her that she found a dead body by the goal posts on the field,” the father of the girl said. “She’s only 11 years of age. They went out for PE and it was very foggy this morning.”
He added: “It’s left her really shaken up and we’ve come to take her out of school early. It’s terrible what she’s had to see.”
READ MORE: Body found on Wolverhampton school grounds as pupils sent home
One parent commented on Facebook: “My nephew’s class were the ones that found him. The school have offered counselling. Rest In Peace.”
The girl and her fellow year seven pupils were the first to have PE in the school this week and no other students had been out onto the field before the body was found.
The school said it closed under advice from the police, but will re-open tomorrow. Students who have been affected have been encourage to reach out to their head of year for specialist support.
Police are now working to confirm the man’s identity and the circumstances his death. Smestow Academy said in a statement: “Police told us to close school today because of an incident unconnected with Smestow Academy.
“A body was found at the edge of the grounds and enquiries are now underway to confirm the man’s identity and the circumstances around his death. Police asked us to close so they could make headway with their investigation.
“The police have now given us the go ahead to open as usual tomorrow. There will be pupil assemblies throughout the morning to reassure them. If your child has been affected, they can speak with their Head of House who will be able to provide specialist support.”
A West Midlands Police spokesperson said earlier: “We’re currently at Smestow Academy after a discovery of the body in the grounds. Emergency services were called at around 10.40am today, and the man was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.
“Enquiries are now under way to confirm the man’s identity and the circumstances around his death. The school is closing to pupils as enquiries get under way.”
Anyone with information that could assist police has been asked to use the live chat facility at www.west-midlands.police.uk. Alternatively, call 101, quoting log 1452 of January 19.
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesperson said: “We were called to a medical emergency in a field on Windmill Crescent, Castlecroft, Wolverhampton at 10.41am today. Two ambulances and a paramedic officer responded to the scene where, sadly, one man was confirmed deceased.”
