Tributes have been paid to the ‘cheeky, funny, and precious’ youngster
A seven-year-old boy died after being crushed in a car park after a rugby match whilst he was changing his boots.
Alfie Tollett had just watched his brother play in a match at his local club, Plymstock Albion Oaks Rugby, and was putting his shoes back on when he got wedged between two cars, a coroner heard.
At the opening of his inquest, a statement on behalf of the coroner Ian Arrow outlined the freak incident that led to Alfie’s death in Plymouth, Devon.
It revealed the fatal crush was caused when an electric vehicle struggling to park “shunted” another parked car into the youngster.
Alfie Tollett sustained serious injuries and was taken to Derriford Hospital where he was pronounced dead around an hour after the incident.
The statement read: “(Alfie) was stood at the rear of the family car changing his boots for his shoes after watching his brother play rugby.
“A stationary vehicle parked behind the family vehicle was then struck by another electrically propelled vehicle that was attempting to park; this vehicle has shunted forward the parked vehicle and crushed Alfie between the two vehicles.
“Alfie was conveyed to Derriford Hospital, but sadly passed away.”
His official cause of death was given at the short hearing as blunt force traumatic chest injuries.
Police are appealing for witnesses and any dashcam footage of the tragedy. A 55-year-old man arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving has been released on bail until May.
Since the incident on February 19th, tributes have poured in for Alfie, who lived in Plymouth, Devon.
“We miss you sweetheart and we will never ever forget you. Fly high our baby.”
In a statement released in the days after his death, his family said: “This has to be one of the hardest things we have had to do as a family. On Sunday, our precious little Alfie was involved in a horrible incident where sadly he lost his life.
“This has left a massive hole in our whole family. Our Alfie was not just our son and brother, but also a grandson, a cousin, a nephew and a friend to so many people.
“He was our special cheeky, funny and precious little man. Our hearts are completely broken. We are so numb and are struggling to understand why this has happened.
“We would like to thank you for the kind words of support we have received.
“To our Alfie moos, we miss you sweetheart and we will never ever forget you. Fly high our baby. Thank you for the best seven years of our lives. All our love Mummy, Daddy, Jack and Teddy. X”
