Family’s grief over tragic toddler

Feb 9 2008 by Dan Warburton, The Journal

THE grandparents of a toddler killed when his father accidentally reversed over him outside the family home have spoken of how they tried to save his life.

Eighteen-month-old Jake Younger died when he was crushed under the rear wheels of his father’s black Land Rover Freelander in Greenford, Kibblesworth, Gateshead, on Thursday at 4pm.

Parents Neil Lawson, 29, and Julie Younger, 25, who works at the TK Maxx store in Team Valley, are devastated by the loss.

Grandfather Alan Younger, 55, who lives just doors away with his wife Brenda, 51, said: “I don’t know anything about the accident or what happened.

“Neil came running along the street with Jake in his arms shouting, ‘Alan I need your help, Alan I need your help’.

“The bairn had blood on his face and I think he was unconscious.

“ I brought him into the house and lay him on the rug in the front room and I gave him mouth to mouth, the kiss of life, and I thought I brought him back.

“We don’t know what happened. I haven’t been able to talk to Neil, he is in too much of a state. We just feel numb at the moment. It is like a bad dream, you just think you will wake up.”

The toddler’s aunty Amanda, nine, and older brother Owen, a four-year-old pupil at Kibblesworth Primary School, had still not been informed of the toddler’s death yesterday.

Heartbroken grandmother Brenda Younger, 51, a shop assistant, said: “It’s too upsetting even to talk about.”

Alan yesterday spoke fondly of his grandson. He said: “He was great, just starting to get on his feet. Loveable.

“My younger daughter adored him. They adored each other. I just think it’s a dream – a nightmare.”

The tragic death has shocked the small community of Kibblesworth.

Local school children were yesterday being offered special sessions with psychologists to cope with their grief.

Kevin Dodd, headteacher at Kibblesworth Primary School, said: “The whole school community is devastated by the news of this awful tragedy. Kibblesworth is a small, close-knit community and our thoughts and condolences go out to the whole extended family.

“Children are in school as normal, and they will have access to specialist advice from a dedicated educational psychologist if required.

“We would ask everyone to respect the privacy of the family at this sad time.”

Joseph Hattan, councillor for the Lamesley area in which Kibblesworth lies, said that he was shocked by the accident.

He said: “I don’t know anything about the accident. I’m just deeply shocked about it all.

“It’s a very, very close community and it will be terrible for the whole village and particularly the family.

“At a time of tragedy like this it’s difficult to confront people, but if they need help I will certainly be there.”

A Northumbria Police spokesman yesterday said: “We are making inquiries on behalf of the coroner.”