A tragic incident unfolded as a two-year-old boy lost his life while out with his family at Whitstable beach. The young child, Sonny Macdonald, was fatally injured when a car collided with his family near Gorrell Tank car park in Kent. The accident occurred around 8:15 pm on August 16, just a short distance from their home.
Despite immediate medical attention, Sonny could not be saved, while his parents sustained injuries and were promptly taken to a nearby hospital. An inquest into the heartbreaking event was initiated at Oakwood House in Maidstone but was halted due to an ongoing police inquiry.
In response to the tragedy, law enforcement detained a man in his twenties on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. Following his arrest, he was released on bail pending further investigations. The area where the accident transpired has been adorned with flowers and tributes in memory of the young victim.
During the inquest proceedings, Coroner Katrina Hepburn disclosed that Sonny’s parents witnessed the devastating incident unfold at approximately 8:24 pm. The family was returning home from Whitstable beach with Sonny in a stroller when the vehicle veered off the road, crashed through a metal barricade, and descended into the car park below.
Rosie Duffield, the Canterbury and Whitstable MP, expressed deep sorrow and extended sympathies to the family affected by the tragic loss. She commended the emergency services for their swift response and urged the public to assist the police investigation by providing any relevant information or evidence, such as dashcam footage.
Authorities from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit are urging witnesses, especially bus passengers who were in the vicinity, to come forward with any details that could aid in the investigation. Additionally, individuals with CCTV or dashcam recordings are encouraged to share them with the detectives. Eyewitnesses described the scene as distressing, with onlookers visibly upset by the tragic events that unfolded.
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