Mine Rescue services tried to retrieve the child without success.
It is understood they abandoned the effort due to unstable conditions around the shaft.
This angered residents who resorted to a fiery protest which left a trail of destruction in the neighbouring Main Street in Witfield.
Traffic Lights were uprooted, dustbins turned upside down and left broken.
There are also unconfirmed report that some properties were broken into.
The Advertiser is still at the scene and and Wit Deep Road remains closed to traffic.
WATCH VIDEO:
Fence around collapsed mineshaft stolen
Possible collapsed mineshaft puts residents in dange