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Two-year-old dies on escalator after 'being dropped by dad'

A two-year-old boy has died after falling from an escalator in a Colorado shopping centre on Sunday afternoon (local time).

US police are investigating the incident, saying the toddler fell out of his father's arms and over the railing, as they were on a second story escalator at Town Centre in Aurora.

The boy reportedly lunged forward and his father lost his grip, causing him to fall.

The child was rushed to the hospital with life-threatening injuries and died early on Monday morning.

A screenshot from the CBS News Denver story showing a policeman blocking off the top of an escalator in the shopping centre.
The toddler reportedly 'lunged' forward, causing his father to lose his grip on him. Source: CBS News Denver

According to CBC Denver, witnesses said they heard a woman screaming, and saw the boy lying on the ground unconscious before emergency crews arrived and took him to hospital.

A screenshot from Google Maps of the Aurora Centre, where the boy fell from the second story escalator.
The boy was with his parents at a shopping centre in Colorado. Source: Google Maps

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the boy and his family at this time,” the Town Center of Aurora said in a statement. “We are working closely with the Aurora fire and police departments as they investigate the accident.”

Police told several outlets that a preliminary investigation revealed the child's death was likely an accident,

“All incidents where a child of this age is seriously injured or killed are thoroughly investigated by our Crimes Against Children Unit,” Aurora Police Department Lieutenant Chris Amsler told FOX31.

“The investigation remains open and active. We are asking anyone that may have witnessed this, that have not yet spoken to the police, to please reach out to Metro Denver Crime Stoppers so that we may follow up with them.”

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