How did it happen? Tributes to tragic seven year-old Conley Thompson

A police officer at a construction site on Bank End Road in Worsbrough, Barnsley, where the body of a child believed to be missing Conley Thompson has been found.

NEIGHBOURS have been voicing their shock and disbelief after the body of missing seven-year-old Conley Thompson was found on a construction site in Barnsley this morning.

Conley was last seen on Sunday evening playing with friends a mile away from the site on Bank End Road, Worsbrough.

One neighbour, who did not want to give a name, said: “I don’t know the family but this is a close-knit area and word spreads like wildfire.

“I just can’t believe it, it’s so sad. I feel terrible for them. I heard screams and cries coming from the house which must be when they were told.

“People have been writing things on Facebook like ‘Rest In Peace’.

“Apparently he had been seen climbing around in the area near the church yard. I often see him playing about on the street.”

Another lady in the area said: “I can’t imagine what the family must be going through. It’s just unbelievable.

“He was just a kid who liked playing out in the street.”

One man, who also did not want to give a name, said: “It’s so sad. The whole community is in shock.”

Tributes to Conley have began appearing on his school’s Facebook page.

Hannah Bailey wrote: “Such sad news! Can’t believe it, sending love to his family xx”

Police said Conley had gone to play with his friends in Locke Park at around 6pm yesterday.

He is believed to have left around two hours later and was due to return home to Underwood Avenue in Worsbrough, but never turned up.

The youngster was reported missing a short time later.

He was last seen wearing a blue checked shirt, red shoes, a black coat and brown trousers.

A police spokesman said: “Formal identification of the body is yet to take place; however, it is believed to be that of Conley.”

Police on Bank End Road in Worsbrough, Barnsley. Picture: Ross Parry Agency

People have started to lay flowers and teddies next to the construction site where Conley was found.

Wayne Bolton went with his son, Finley, four, to pay his respects.

He said the first he heard was the helicopter being used to search for the boy on Sunday night.

Mr Bolton said: “We are not friends with the family, but it’s tragic what’s happened and it just makes you appreciate what you have.

“I can’t begin to imagine what that family are going through.

“It was such a tragic accident, hopefully, and we just want to show support for the family and to be fair the whole community has turned up. It’s shocked everyone and everyone is in bits and luckily, in an area like this, everyone comes together and we all help each other.”