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A baby crushed by a falling lamp post died in hospital today.
The boy, who has not been named, was hit outside Chiswick Town Hall on Tuesday morning. He died in the early hours — one day before his first birthday.
Sources close to the investigation said the boy had been in an incubator after suffering head injuries.
He had been flown by air ambulance to Royal London Hospital before being taken to King's College Hospital where he died.
A Scotland Yard homicide detective will lead the inquiry into the death. The move raises the possibility of charges being brought under corporate manslaughter legislation.
Flowers and cards were left at the scene today, one had the name “Hana” written on it.
A Hounslow council spokeswoman said it was co-operating with the investigation.
Reader views (10)
As a parent of a one year old boy myself I can only echo Ian's words by describing this as unthinkable and my heart and thoughts are with this little boys devestated family. You invest so much love and have so many dreams and hopes for your children and to lose them so young just on the cusp of them really loving life is too awful for words. I am so sorry and hope this never happens again.
- Anna, Chorleywood, 25/02/2010 14:46
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As a parent of three children myself, the thought of something like this happening to me is unthinkable. One day before his birthday too. All the preparations, the presents and planning to make his first birthday special which he did not even get to see. My thoughts to the family involved.
This does also ask the question as to why when roads are dug up, why don't all the organisations do all of the repairs at the same time? This would reduce the number of roadworks and ultimately cut out the number of needless tragedies such as this one. We all know cases where the road is dug up, filled in then within a few days dug up again by another utility service in the same place.
- Ian, London, UK, 25/02/2010 13:28
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What a tragedy,my sympathies to the family.
RIP young one
- Malc, London,England, 25/02/2010 12:40
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Oh this is just too awful for words. The if only's that will be felt by all in this tragedy. My heartfelt condolences to the parents, family and carer of this poor little boy, and for all the people that had to witness this accident.
- Smb, London, UK, 25/02/2010 11:35
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R.I.P. little Angel
- Mary, Edmonton London, 25/02/2010 11:26
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Once upon a time roadworks were carried out just by the one company: now, different bits of the work are farmed out to different companies. This means that each has to wait for the other to complete their bit of the work, leaving the pavements dangerous to the public. We had this problem in my street when new street lamps were put in. Huge holes were dug in the pavement and it was at least a week before someone else turned up to do the next bit.
- Janet, London, UK, 25/02/2010 10:52
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Councils are wholly responsible for the conditions of roads and pavements so no point trying to shift blame in the direction of Virgin Media.
- Amoreno, Luxembourg, 25/02/2010 10:41
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This is so tragic and such a loss for the family of this young child. I am a local and a resident of the London Borough of Hounslow. I hope there will be ramafications to prevent anything like this ever happening again. As it happened in a place my family and I go past frequently, this incident has brought it so close to home.
- Dubzzy, West london, England, 25/02/2010 10:27
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One life lost but so many more lives will be destroyed as a result of this terrible accident. What a tragedy.
- Ellie, Kent. UK, 25/02/2010 10:17
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SUCH A TRAGEDY!!! why oh why can't people do a decent job these days and take care and pride, rather than adopt it's not job attitude. There is clearly someone to blame for this and money doesn't buy a life back, but I hope someone gets fined and convicted!
- Smithfields, Kent, 25/02/2010 09:41
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