A County Durham community has spoken of its shock after the tragic death of a two-year-old girl critically injured during an incident on Wednesday (September 28).
Floral tributes and teddy bears have been left outside the home of two-year-old Maya Louise Chappell in Shotton Colliery, after police confirmed the devastating news of her death.
Maya was airlifted to the RVI in Newcastle in a critical condition after emergency services were called to Shotton Colliery on Wednesday afternoon but sadly lost her fight for life on Friday.
Read more: Man appears in court charged with murder of North East university student
One resident who came to law flowers in memory of the toddler told The Northern Echo: “I don’t know the family, I’ve never met them at all, but just feel wholeheartedly sorry for them.
“She was two years old, she’s had no life whatsoever.
“I don’t know who could possibly do this.”
Children from the village also left teddy bears at the scene on Saturday afternoon.
Another resident said: “I didn’t know her, but we were all hoping she’d pull through.
“It’s just heart-breaking, she had her whole life ahead of her. It’s awful.”
On Friday (September 30) Maya’s heartbroken father James posted the devastating news on social media that his ‘beautiful brave little girl’ had lost her fight following her injuries.
To get more stories from County Durham direct to your email basket go here
James Chappell wrote on Facebook: “It breaks my heart to be writing this but sadly my beautiful brave little girl has gained her wings she was too good for this world and as a reward she’s going to play in the stars.
“I love you so much Maya Louise Chappell, you are my life, my earth and my idol and I’ll always look up to you and love you with all my heart. RIP baby girl.”
On Saturday Durham Police released a statement confirming the tragic news.
The spokesperson said: “We can confirm a 2-year-old girl has sadly died following the incident on Wednesday. Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this extremely difficult time.
"A dedicated team of detectives from the Major Crime Team are continuing to investigate the circumstances of this tragic incident and are currently following a number of lines of enquiry.”
Police are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident and said a man in his 20s was arrested at the scene on suspicion of assault with intent to cause serious harm.
Read next:
- Spending watchdog reviews funding used to clean up steelworks
- 25 pictures as work starts on demolition of Redcar steelworks blast furnace
- When there will be a loud bang across the North East - and why you’ll hear it
If you want to read more local stories, why not subscribe to your Northern Echo for as little as £1.25 a week. Click here
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here