4-year-old boy died in tragic farm accident
21st October 2024
A four-year-old boy died at the farm in Tynreithin after he was thrown over the handles of an antique garden roller, an inquest heard.
Maldwyn Gwern Evans died at his home on Blaenesgair Farm on 20th June. His family described the boy as a “keen little farmer” with a “captivating personality”.
The post-mortem examination showed that Gwern died at the scene from an “untreatable” and “incurable” head injury. His death was accidental, the inquest that took place in Aberystwyth has concluded.
Coroner Peter Brunton said it was most likely that the boy pushed the antique garden roller from behind by the handle and it rolled forward, BBC News reported.
“He tried to hold the roller back but failed,” the coroner said.
The roller continued to the bottom of the garden where the handle flipped over. Gwern was thrown over the roller and hit his head on the patio.
Det Con Richard Taberner told the inquest the roller weighed 50-60kg (110-132lb) and it was feasible “healthy and tall” Gwern could have moved it.
Coroner Brunton added that the accident was beyond “there was no human control”, labelling it a “personal tragedy of immense significance”.
Maldwyn "Gwern" Evans lost his life in an accident at his Tynreithin farm home in Wales, an inquest heard. The four year old was described by his family as a "keen little farmer" https://t.co/Pq0U480Fgi pic.twitter.com/bxc1h9fgbW
— Birmingham Live (@birmingham_live) October 10, 2024
Strong and determined
The boy’s mother, Sian Eleri Evans, said her son had returned from school, eaten his dinner and gone into the garden to play.
She added: “I was in the kitchen, and I heard a thud. I instantly thought it had been the roller, and I ran out.”
The Victorian cast-iron handmade garden roller had been in the garden for two years, she said, and was moved about two weeks before the accident. It was placed on flat grass, but the garden was steeper where Gwern was found, media reported.
Ms Evans also said that she has never seen her son play with the roller. She described Gwern as “strong and determined”, so he would have been able to move it.
“The loss is unimaginable not only to myself, his father and his sister, but to family and friends,” the mother added.
The thoughts of the Farmers Guide team are with the Family during this difficult time and their continuing hardships.
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