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Girl, 8, dies after medical episode at school

Antonia MatthewsBBC Wales
News imageBBC Grey concrete school building seen from a hill above the entrance with police car and other cars parked outside and sign bearing school name to the left on grassBBC
Emergency services were called to Penrhys Primary School on Wednesday

An eight-year-old girl has died following a medical episode in school, police have said.

Emergency services were called to Penrhys Primary School near Tylorstown, Rhondda Cynon Taf, shortly after 14:00 BST on Wednesday, South Wales Police said.

The girl was taken to hospital where she later died, the force added.

A police spokesperson said: "There are no suspicious circumstances and an investigation on behalf of the coroner is now underway."

A HSE spokesperson said it was aware of the incident and was making enquiries.

Around 70 pupils attend the school on the Penrhys estate.

"Due to the traumatic event that happened at our lovely school this afternoon we will be closed for all children tomorrow," the school said on its Facebook page on Wednesday.

News imageSchool seen from the back with play area partly covered in grass visible outside a school building painted pale pink with small windows
The school was closed on Thursday

The school will be open for children and staff again on Friday, it added.

Gaynor Davies, director of education and inclusion services at Rhondda Cynon Taf Council said the year four pupil was "a cherished member of her close-knit school community and will be deeply missed by everyone".

"I want to thank school staff who administered first aid until paramedics arrived to take over and transport her to hospital, where sadly, she later passed away," she added.

News imageSchool sign at entrance with two bunches of flowers laid at the bottom by the white metal posts on the grass
Flowers were left at the entrance of the school following news of the girl's death

Julie Edwards, Labour councillor for the Tylorstown and Ynyshir wards said she was aware of a "tragic incident".

"South Wales Police are fully investigating the matter and more details will be released shortly," she said.

"It's still very early on in their investigation and they've asked residents not to speculate to avoid misinformation spreading."

News imageGoogle / BBC A Google map shows the location of the school, lying north of Pontypridd and south of Merthyr Tydfil. The map also shows Cardiff further south.Google / BBC
The school is on the Penrhys estate near Tylorstown in Rhondda Cynon Taf
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