A 13-year-old boy has died after being found unconscious in a park in South Wales on Friday, Gwent Police said.

The force said the boy was found at about 7.20pm in Ystrad Mynach Park, Caerphilly Road, Ystrad Mynach.

He was taken to University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff, where he was pronounced dead.

Christopher Parry, head teacher at Lewis School Pengam where the teenager attended, said the school was “devastated”.

Mr Parry said: “It’s with immense sadness that today I heard the news that one of our pupils has passed away. We are all devastated by this tragic loss. We will providing support for pupils in the weeks ahead but in the meantime my thoughts and prayers are with the family. There are no words.”

Police officer in park
Police and community support officers in the park where the teenager was found unconscious (Ben Birchall/PA)

Gwent Police said an investigation is under way and that it is treating the boy’s death as unexplained.

Detective Chief Inspector Sam Payne, who is leading the investigation, said: “At this time enquiries are ongoing and the investigation into this young boy’s death are still in the early stages.

“Specialists are working to determine the exact cause of death and our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time.

Police officers search the park
Police officers search the park (Ben Birchall/PA)

“I’d like to appeal to anyone who can assist with our investigation. If you have information that could help, please call us on 101 quoting log 523 12/4/19 or you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Alternatively, you can send a direct message with information via our Gwent Police Facebook or Twitter social media pages.”