Video: Murder probe as girl, 13, dies in Doncaster park after calling police for help

South Yorkshire Police launched a murder inquiry after Casey-Lyanne Kearney was attacked in Elmfield Park, Doncaster, yesterday afternoon.

The teenager, described by police as 5ft 3in with long, straight, ginger hair, died hours later at Doncaster Royal Infirmary.

Police said the attack had been reported to them by the teenager herself, who raised the alarm just before 1.20pm.

She was treated at the scene by police and paramedics before being taken by ambulance to hospital.

A 26-year-old woman has been arrested and remains in police custody, a police spokesman said.

Doncaster Council confirmed she was “known to a number of local public agencies”.

Speaking near the scene, senior investigating officer Detective Superintendent Terry Mann said Casey-Lyanne had left her home at around midday yesterday, intending to catch the bus to Doncaster town centre where she was then going to meet a friend.

He said: “We believe that she then got off somewhere around this area here, and the next part we know is that, at 18 minutes past one yesterday, a call is received via South Yorkshire Police switchboard from Casey herself to say that she had been stabbed.

“At the same time, a passing member of the public has come by Casey and contacted an ambulance. In a very short period of time both police and paramedics arrived at the park area.”

He said medics worked “tirelessly” to save Casey-Lyanne but she died at 9.25pm last night.

Mr Mann said Casey-Lyanne was wearing a black waist-length coat yesterday, along with blue jeans and knee-high boots. She was also carrying a black Bench shoulder bag with purple writing.

He appealed for any members of the public who were in or near the park at lunchtime yesterday, and either saw anything suspicious or Casey-Lyanne herself, to contact police.

A specialist incident room has been set up which can be called on 01709 443510, or people can also call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, he said.

The whole park remained sealed off today and blue police tape was attached to railings and trees.

Police community support officers were positioned at various locations.

A white forensic police tent could be seen in the park - just a few metres from a play area.

Locals spoke of their shock at the stabbing.

One woman, who was passing the scene with her 13-year-old daughter, said she no longer allowed her to go into the park.

“It is not a very good park, to be honest. There have been a number of incidents in there, it is not like when I was a child.”

She said her daughter had come across a drunk woman when she was walking close to the park yesterday afternoon.

The teenager said: “We were just walking and we decided to run. She was walking past and she asked us why we are running. She started calling us names.”

A local shopkeeper, who gave his name as Raja, said: “They should put CCTV cameras in the park. A few customers have been saying that.”

He added: “It is such a shock. It is really sad. You see kids playing football in the park. It is the first time we have had a stabbing around here.”

He said five or six years ago a man set himself alight in the park.

Doncaster Council chief executive Jo Miller said: “We are deeply saddened by this tragic event and our thoughts are very much with family and friends.

“This incident is in the very early stages of a police-led murder investigation and we would urge anyone with any information to come forward and talk to the police.

“We can confirm that we are all working hard to piece together what happened yesterday and also gathering any information we can.

“The person in custody was known to a number of local public agencies and we are working together to establish all the circumstances involved with this case.”

She said the investigation was at an early stage and any member of the public who has any information should come forward.