Migrants perish as Cooper slams gangs

A TODDLER trampled to death in a small boat was among four migrants who died off the French coast yesterday.

- Tony Whitfield, David Williamson

The two-year-old's body was found in an overcrowded vessel by rescuers on a French tug which had responded to a call for help.

Thirteen migrants were taken off the boat at around 8am, including one who was airlifted to a hospital in Boulogne.

Others stayed on the dinghy and continued towards the English coast.

In a separate incident three adults died off Calais when their small boat got into difficulty. The recent calm weather has led to a surge in migrant boats trying make the dangerous crossing.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: "It is appalling that more lives have been lost in the Channel, including a young child, as criminal smuggler gangs continue to organise these dangerous boat crossings.