THE mother of a five-year-old boy who died after a mirror fell on him in a Colchester department store says his death has “left a hole that can never be filled”.
Freddie Farrow, described by his family as a “lovely and cheeky little boy”, suffered a serious head injury whilst inside Fenwick, in Colchester High Street, on July 27 last year.
The Gosbecks Primary School pupil was airlifted to Addenbrookes Hospital and later died, despite the best efforts of medics and people at the scene.
Shop staff, fire crews and police officers gave first aid to Freddie before paramedics arrived and he was taken to hospital in a critical condition.
In the aftermath of the incident, Essex Police handed over the investigation to Colchester Council under the authority’s health and safety responsibilities.
The council is working alongside the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) on the probe.
Freddie’s mum Natasha Ingham has spoken as the first anniversary of his death approaches.
She said: “This last year has been the hardest of my life. Losing a child is something no parent can ever get over.
“As a family, we think about Freddie every day, and we remember him as he was; as a loving, caring and fun little boy who had his entire life in front of him.
“His loss has left a hole that can never, and will never, be filled.
“We are trying to live our lives as we know Freddie would have wanted us to, with love, kindness and with joy. He will never leave us.
“That can be incredibly hard at times, but we have taken comfort in how the Colchester community has embraced our family after Freddie’s death. We will be forever grateful for that.
“To all parents out there, I would encourage you to hug your children close and be thankful for them every day.
“With all of us living such busy lives these days, it can be easy to assume ‘it’ll be OK because tomorrow always comes’. Tragically, for some parents, that isn’t the case.”
An inquest opened and adjourned by Essex Coroner’s Service heard the provisional cause of Freddie’s death was traumatic brain injury.
With the first anniversary of the incident approaching, a council spokesman said he was unable to confirm when the investigation would conclude.
He said: “We are continuing to work with the HSE to investigate different aspects of health and safety law to determine the tragic circumstances that led to Freddie’s death.
“There is nothing further to report at this time – including a date when the investigation will conclude.”
Freddie's dad Andrew, 42, from Harwich, is currently growing his beard in aid of the paediatric intensive care unit at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, in Cambridge.
He decided to raise money for the ward after being taken aback by the level of support its doctors and nurses gave to his five-year-old son Freddie in his final days.
Since starting his fundraiser, Andrew has received over £3,750 in donations, which he will present to the hospital on August 14.
The bus driver has raised the funds by growing his beard since late last year alongside Dave Biggs, Dave Johns, Steve Biscoe, Pete Lewis, and Alan Buchannan.
He said: “I am extremely happy and grateful for the support. I know for sure Freddie is looking down smiling.”
Donate at tinyurl.com/2p8bd2v2
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