A ten-year-old boy has been crushed to death by a lift at an Australian school for disabled children.

The schoolboy, who was a wheelchair user, was trapped in an elevator at St Lucy’s School, Wahroonga, Sydney, on Wednesday, 1st November.

Emergency services rushed to the school, but the child was pronounced dead at the scene around 2pm local time (3pm GMT).

The school specialises teaching around 230 children with autism, sensory impairments and severe learning disabilities.

After the fatal incident all the students were confined in their classrooms shielding them from the horrific accident.

North South Wales Police said some of their offices are staying on campus following the child’s death.

A spokesman for the force said: ‘About 2pm today (Wednesday 1 November 2023), emergency services were called to a school on Cleveland Street, Wahroonga, following reports a child was trapped.

‘Officers attached to Kuring-Gai Police Area Command arrived to find a ten-year-old boy trapped under a lift.

‘Fire and Rescue NSW attempted to remove the boy however he died at the scene.’

Police said a crime scene has been established as they continue a recovery operation.

They added: ‘A report will be prepared for the information of the coroner.’

[ St Lucy’s School is an independent Catholic Special School which is part of the Mission of Dominican Education Australia. ]