Toddler killed in tragic bookcase accident in Clear Lake, Victoria remembered as ‘perfect child’

A TODDLER killed when a bookcase fell on him in a tragic accident has been remembered as a “perfect child” and loving angel.

Three-year-old Blake Shaw died after a bookcase fell on him in the family home. Picture: Supplied

A TODDLER killed when a bookcase fell on him in a tragic accident has been remembered as a “perfect child” and loving angel.

Three-year-old Blake Shaw was sitting on the floor of his family’s farmhouse at Clear Lake, southwest of Horsham, when the freestanding case fell without warning.

The beloved little boy’s devastated parents were last night struggling to comprehend the tragedy.

Tim Shaw said he and partner Kirstie, who moved to the area from the city, adored their son.

“The worst thing the kid ever did was smile,’’ Mr Shaw told the Herald Sun. “We moved for the kids.”

Investigations into what caused the fall of the bookcase, understood to be heavy, were continuing.

Blake Shaw tragically died after a book case fell on him. Picture: Supplied

Blake had not been trying to climb the structure and was well away from it when it suddenly fell, the family said. It had been placed in a corner and pushed hard against the wall.

Grandmother Dianne Shaw said she had enjoyed a beachside trip with her grandson at Portland on the day of the accident.

A cherished picture taken during the outing shows the grinning youngster gleefully playing on a slide. “He had a beautiful day — he called me ‘grandma’ for the first time,’’ Ms Shaw told the Herald Sun.

“We are devastated. Just devastated. He was our baby.”

The family were yesterday comforting Blake’s distraught parents, who have two older boys and moved to the area from the city about six months ago to give their kids a better quality of life.

“He was adored,’’ Ms Shaw said.

“He was a beautiful-looking child,” Ms Shaw said.

“He was an angel.”

Three-year-old Blake Shaw, who tragically died after a book case fell on him, has been described as ‘an angel’. Picture: Supplied

Emergency crews, called to the property about 7.30pm on Monday, tried to revive Blake but he died at the scene. Several ambulances and the ambulance air wing all responded.

Grandfather Graham Shaw, who raced from Melbourne to be by the family’s side, said Blake was a happy child who always had a smile on his face.

He had an endless appetite, especially for lollies, and loved nothing more than playing with the family’s five dogs.

“He loved this place,’’ Mr Shaw said. “All his toys are scattered all over the place — just a typical little kid.

“He was just a perfect little boy,” he said.

“He just happened to be sitting on the floor and this thing fell down from the wall.

“No one was near it. It was just a freak accident.

“It was just a fluke.

“It was just a bookshelf with doors on it. I don’t want to look at that thing, so I’m going to knock it apart and burn it.”

Clear Lake is a close-knit rural community of just a handful of houses, about 45km from Horsham.

A Victoria Police spokesman said a report would be prepared for the Coroner.

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