Boy, 4, dies five days after lorry accident

THE prayers of a tight-knit community are being said for the family of a four-year-old boy who died in hospital yesterday, five days after being run over by a coal lorry.

The death of little Kelvin Purcell is the second tragedy to visit the Purcell family.

In October 2000, his five-year-old brother, David, died after he was trapped in a fire that broke out in the family’s home in Cork.

Gardaí are continuing their investigation into the accident that led to Kelvin’s death.

He had been playing on a skateboard near his home at Ardcullen, Hollyhill, when he was run over by a coal lorry.

It is believed Kelvin was lying on the skateboard in the road and may have had a piece of tarpaulin covering him. As a result, the lorry driver didn’t see the child.

Kelvin’s heartbroken parents, Elizabeth and Jonathan, had maintained a beside vigil at Cork University Hospital since the accident last Friday.

Local priest Fr Pat Fogarty visited the hospital every day to comfort the parents.

“You’d love to be able to take away their pain, but all we can do for them is pray and be there for them,” Fr Fogarty said.

“The thoughts and prayers of the community are with them. People are very supportive, but the whole area has been devastated by the news,” the priest said.

Kelvin had been due to start his education last Monday at St Mary’s on the Hill National School.

School principal Kevin O’Callaghan said pupils and teachers were saddened by the fact the little boy wouldn’t be with them.

“The family are in all of our thoughts and we extend our deepest sympathies to them,” he said.

Superintendent Con Cadogan, who is leading the investigation, described the accident as a terrible tragedy.

“It’s tragic for the family and the truck driver. On behalf of the gardaí I want to express our deepest sympathy to all of them. For the family, who had previously lost a child, this is a very hard cross to bare,” Supt Cadogan said.

Gardaí in Gurranabraher are carrying out a technical examination on the lorry. They are appealing for anybody who witnessed the accident and who hasn’t come forward to contact them.

Little Kelvin will be buried at St Catherine’s Cemetery, Kilcully, tomorrow, following Requiem Mass at St Mary’s on the Hill, Knocknaheeny, at noon. He is also survived by brothers, Jamie and Shane, and sister Leanne.