Little boy killed in car accident days before first birthday identified
On Wednesday mum and dad, Jayden and Shandelle, would have been celebrating their boy turning one, but instead the family is mourning after the north Brisbane toddler was struck by a vehicle.
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Ethan James Rayner was just a few days from turning one when he was tragically struck by a car reversing out of a driveway on Monday morning.
Emergency services was called to a home in George Street in Deception Bay, north of Brisbane, to help the little boy, but sadly it was too late.
It’s understood that Ethan suffered critical head injuries and died shortly after the accident.
According to The Courier-Mail, the vehicle was being driven by a male relative.
Instead of celebrating his birthday on Wednesday, heartbroken parents Jayden and Shandelle are grieving the loss of their precious little boy.
Tributes from the community have flooded in, with a friend of the family setting up a MyCause page to help the family in the wake of the tragedy and “take some of the burden off them”.
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Tributes to little boy killed by car days before birthday
“Let’s help them give Ethan the send-off he deserves and so much more,” Tanechka McAleese wrote on the fundraising page.
“The pain they now have to live with is unimaginable and no parents should have to deal with what these two are dealing with."
“Anyone that knows Jayden and Shandelle would know that they’re the most selfless people and will go above and beyond for anyone that needs, now it’s our turn as a community to give to them in there time of need.
“Any donations big or small will be greatly appreciated.”
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Heartbreaking note left in driveway after toddler killed
The Daily Mail reports a letter was left behind by the boy’s “best friend” Alexus.
“Dear Ethan, I watch you cry, laugh and smile,” it read.
“I watch you crawl, stand and walk. But you also showed me how to be patient, kind and not to cry over spilt milk even if you did.
“You gave me the biggest heart filled with love and joy. You will always be my little buddy. I will never forget you, the boy with the biggest smile.
“Lots of love.”
Paternal grandmother Carolyn Glenn told the Courier Mail her son and the boy's mother had travelled with paramedics to Redcliffe Hospital.
“I’m just numb,” Ms Glenn said.
“You see this stuff happen to other families, I can’t believe it’s happened to us.”
RELATED: NSW toddler dies after being hit by car in driveway
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Originally published as Little boy killed in car accident days before first birthday identified
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