Five-year-old boy dies after falling down stairs at Vic primary school

A five-year-old boy has died after falling down stairs at a primary school in Wodonga.

It is believed the boy fell at Wodonga South Primary School, part of Southern Rise Education Centre, about 4.30pm yesterday.

The child, who has only been identified as Sufi, was rushed to Albury Base Hospital where he went into cardiac arrest and died shortly after, according to Victoria Police.

His death is not being treated as suspicious.

The school’s principal Clint Eckhardt said the school was “deeply saddened” by the tragic loss.

“Our thoughts are with the students family and friends and classmates at this terrible time," he said.

"The news is going to have a profound impact on our whole school community, but I know we will band together. The support we have already received from the region and the community has been fantastic, and I know that support will continue.”

Detective Sergeant Graeme Simpfendorfer said it was a “devastating” loss to the school, and the boy’s large family.

“All I can say is the incident happened on two external steps of the school about 4.30pm. The exact circumstances are still under investigation,” he said.

Police are preparing a report for the coroner, and the investigation is ongoing.

Sufi and his family had reportedly only moved to Wodonga a few months ago from Ballarat.

His parents are said to be devout Muslims and plan to hold the funeral before midnight this evening in Ballarat.