Boy (2) dies after being crushed by chest of drawers in Co Antrim

The family of two-year-old boy Archie Tafts who died after being crushed by a chest of drawers have said they suffered a “tremendous loss” and appealed for privacy to try to deal with their grief.

The accident happened at the Tafts family home in Cloughmills, Co Antrim on Tuesday. It is understood the chest of drawers fell on top of the child. He was taken to hospital for treatment but died from his injuries.

“As would be normal procedure with any sudden death, a report will be prepared for the information of the coroner,” said a PSNI spokeswoman.

Through the PSNI, the Tafts family said they had suffered a “tremendous loss”.

They said the funeral would be private and asked reporters and photographers not to attend.

North Antrim Sinn Féin Assembly member Daithí McKay said the death was a “tragedy” that had shocked the entire community.

Local SDLP representative Connor Duncan said news of the child’s death had stunned the community.

Extending condolences, he said “we cannot begin to understand the grief that will follow such a sudden and tragic accident.”

Traditional Unionist Voice councillor Timothy Gaston said there was a “palpable sense of shock throughout the local community at the death of Archie Tafts”.