Boy, 7, crushed to death between two cars when he bent over to change his shoes
A seven-year-old boy was crushed to death as he changed his boots in a car park, an inquest has heard.
Alfie Tollett had just watched his brother play rugby in Plymouth, Devon, when he got wedged between two cars.
A statement from coroner Ian Arrow explained how an electric vehicle had been struggling to park at Plymstock Albion Oaks rugby club on Sunday, February 19.
It ‘shunted’ another parked car into Alfie who was putting his shoes back on, fatally crushing him.
The coroner said: ‘(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 recorded as blunt force traumatic chest injuries.
Police are continuing to appeal for witnesses and any dashcam footage that shows what happened.
A 55-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving but has been released on bail.
In the days following Alfie’s death, his family released a heartbreaking statement: ‘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’
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