Parents of JJ pay tribute to their lovely little boy

Jun 10 2009 by Dan Warburton, The Journal

JJ’s cousin Ellie had desperately tried to warn JJ, a pupil at Elswick’s St Michael’s School, but she was helpless to prevent the accident.

The pair had been just off Sceptre Street when JJ stepped into the road and was struck by the silver Mitsubishi.

Mum Linda, 27, said: “He was the happiest, most popular little boy. Everybody loved him.

“You couldn’t ask for a better kid. I read about this sort of thing all the time, but I can’t believe he’s gone. It’s horrible.

“My son shouldn’t have died on that street.

How could they take my boy? He was always playing football, or going to the skate park to play with his skateboard.”

Linda and John celebrated the birth of their second son, David, just four months ago.

Last night members of the devastated Elswick community turned up at the scene of the accident to pay tribute to JJ. Hundreds of flowers lined a fence as well-wishers left touching messages.

Margaret Kerridge, headteacher of St Michael’s School, said support was being offered to students, staff and parents who were affected by the tragedy.

She said: “He was a lovely little boy, just a really nice person.

“You can’t prepare for something like this but everyone at the school is devastated.

“The education welfare service has offered its support to families, children and teachers.”