A 10-year-old boy accidentally hanged himself while playing on a rope swing, police said.
The schoolboy had been playing on ropes, which were hanging from trees, in Hutton Woods, near Boosbeck, Cleveland, on Saturday night.
The circumstances of exactly how the boy came to be trapped are still being investigated by Cleveland Police, but officers are treating it as a tragic accident.
Local councillor Peter Spencer, who represents Hutton ward on Redcar and Cleveland Council, said the community was in shock at the devastating news. "It is terrible when something like this happens," he said. "It is even more tragic when it happens to someone so young... The whole of the community is shocked by it because it is something you do not expect would happen here."
Detective Constable Dave Thomas, of Redcar CID, said: "Many youngsters go out into woodland and swing from ropes that have been hanging from trees. Unfortunately, on this occasion it would appear that the boy got himself tangled and sadly died as a result of this. It is a tragic accident and our thoughts are with his family."
A post-mortem examination carried out on Sunday afternoon confirmed the cause of death was hanging.
Redcar and Cleveland Council extended its sympathy to the boy's family and said support would be offered to school friends when they return from the half-term break.
"Redcar and Cleveland Council has expressed huge sympathy for the family and friends of the 10-year-old boy who tragically died in Hutton Woods," a spokeswoman said.
"Police are continuing to investigate the circumstances of the death but it is believed to be the result of a tragic accident.
"A Child Death Panel Review will be called shortly which will also look at the circumstances surrounding the death. This is a standard procedure whenever a child dies unexpectedly."
