The family of a little boy killed after he was accidentally hit by a ride-on mower being driven by his father are struggling with the tragedy as the tight-knit community rallies around them.
Tributes continue to flow for Maddox, who was rushed to Pambula District Hospital on the NSW far south coast on Saturday with severe injuries after being hit with the mower blades.
The boy later died, despite desperate resuscitation attempts by paramedics.
‘He [the father] reversed over the poor child. He didn’t see him,’ a police spokesman said.
The family is well-known in the Pambula, where his grandmother Wendy helps run the annual ‘Motorfest and Swap’ event to raise money for the community.
When contacted by Daily Mail Australia, the little boy’s grandmother said: ‘It’s too much for the family to talk about at the moment.’
The tragic death of three-year-old Maddox has sparked an outpouring of tributes
The Pambula Motorfest & Swap meet group expressed its sadness after the news of the tragedy became public on Wednesday.
‘Many of you will know Wendy, who is our wonderful (superwoman) secretary/treasurer, some only by her voice over the phone,’ the group posted.
‘She always puts others first, and now it is our turn to help her and her family.
‘Unfortunately, Wendy’s grandson suffered a tragic accident over the weekend and passed away, and the family are fundraising to cover the cost of little Maddox’s funeral.’
The community has rallied around Maddox’s heartbroken parents and two sisters, aged five and nine.
Family friend Jessica Porter has set up an online fundraiser which remembered Maddox as a cheeky and energetic ‘angel’ who left a lasting impression on everyone he met.
‘We are hoping to raise enough funds to allow Maddox’s family, including his two older sisters, to give him a beautiful send-off, honouring his memory,’ the page states.
‘Allowing everyone to have their final goodbyes and celebrate his life.’
The toddler was hit and killed in a tragic accident involving a ride-on mower (stock image)
Maddox has been remembered as an energetic and happy toddler who loved the colour blue.
‘Despite the short time Maddox was given, he made a huge impression on everyone he met, and truly was his parents’ little angel,’ the page adds.
‘His family have many beautiful memories to cherish and recall his cheeky personality and would like to provide Maddox with a memorial that honours these memories.
‘Maddox loved the colour blue and painting his nails with his big sisters, so in celebration of his life, we ask that all attending the memorial when it is announced, wear something blue and paint your nails pink for Maddox!’
The online fundraiser has already raised almost $6,500 within hours.
Any funds left over will go towards grief counselling and for Maddox’s family to reunite with loved ones interstate who will be unable to attend the funeral.
NSW Police aren’t expected to lay any charges but are required to investigate such deaths to provide a report to the coroner.
‘I don’t think anything you could do to the father would change the way he feels, unfortunately,’ the police spokesman said.
‘It’s unusual. It’s not a death that’s caused by natural causes, so that’s why we’re doing what we’re doing.’
Karen Wright, a Bega Valley Shire councillor from South Pambula, said: ‘It is absolutely tragedy and my heart goes out to the family.’
Maddox was rushed to Pambula District Hospital with severe injuries but couldn’t be saved
Source: | This article originally belongs to Dailymail.co.uk