Father’s grief and sorrow at loss of his ‘little soldier’ Harrison
A truck driver who accidentally ran over and killed his five-year-old son has shared his grief and devastation over the horrific accident at a Picton trucking yard that has shattered his family.
NSW
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A truck driver who accidentally ran over and killed his five-year-old son says he failed to protect his little boy.
In a horrific accident at a Picton trucking yard late on Friday afternoon, Harrison Sproule was crushed by a truck driven by his father Doug.
Asked if he blamed himself Mr Sproule said “it is hard not to but there’s going to be enough time for that in the future”.
“You are the head of the table, it’s your job at the end of the day,” the 38-year-old said.
“It’s my job to protect them and I failed on this one.
“Sorry is all I can say. I fix problems every day but I couldn’t fix this one.”
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The boy, from nearby Oakdale, suffered horrific injuries and was treated at the scene by paramedics before being taken to Liverpool Hospital. He died soon after.
Mr Sproule was given mandatory blood and urine tests.
Police say the incident at the Argyle St trucking facility was simply a horrific accident.
Mr Sproule, elder sister Claire and brother Max remembered Harrison as a cheeky boy who loved to ride in his father‘s truck.
The little boy had covered more kilometres in his five years that many people cover in a lifetime — travelling to the Northern Territory, Western Australia and other far-off places alongside his old man.
“He would run around with his little tyre lever and check the tyres for me,” Mr Sproule said of his time on the road with his son.
“He would sit up in the seat next to me and he would always try and stay up at night.
“He was an unbelievable little soldier to have.
“We will march on. He would want us to march on.”
Throughout the day mourners left flowers at the gate of the trucking yard, including a young family of four.
“We didn’t know them but we live up the road and have children who are the same age,” the woman said. “It’s so sad.”
Flowers were also placed on mid-sized truck believed to be involved in the incident.
“On behalf of the Australian Trucking Association and the trucking community we would like of offer our condolences,” CEO Ben Maguire said.
“It is a reminder to us all to be careful and all we can do is think about the family.”
Wollondilly Council Mayor Matthew Deeth said the community was thinking of the family.
“This is a tragic accident that will have a significant impact on the whole community,” he said.
“We are all thinking of the family and hope that they have love ones that will rally around them during this difficult time.
“Any time a child is involved like this it really pulls at the heartstrings.”