Boy, 4, dies after accident on farm (From The Northern Echo)

Boy, 4, dies after accident on farm

9:05am Saturday 31st July 2010 in

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A FOUR-YEAR-OLD boy has died after being hit by a farm vehicle.

Police have launched an investigation into the accident at a farm in Marsett, near Askrigg, in the Yorkshire Dales.

The boy, who has been named locally as Harry Sowerby, suffered serious head injuries in the incident, which is understood to have involved a 4x4 and a trailer.

He was airlifted to hospital but was pronounced dead shortly afterwards.

The accident comes only weeks after ten-year-old Jack Simpson died in a similar incident on a farm about 15 miles away in Wensley, near Leyburn.

Harry lived with his parents, Richard and Charlotte Sowerby, on a farm at Thwaite Bridge, near Hawes, in Wensleydale.

However, it is understood his family, who were too upset to talk yesterday, also farms land at Marsett.

It is believed family members were present when the accident happened on Thursday afternoon.

The youngster attended Dalesplay day care centre, in Hawes.

A spokeswoman said yesterday: “We’re going to really miss him. This has touched everyone. It’s left a dark cloud hanging over Hawes.”

John Blackie, chairman of Hawes and High Abbotside Parish Council, said the tragedy has cast a dark shadow of sadness over the community.

A North Yorkshire Police spokesman said: “The boy sustained serious head injuries and was airlifted to Harrogate District Hospital for treatment.

“Sadly, he was pronounced dead in hospital at about 1.30pm. Police inquiries are ongoing to establish the cause of death.”

Yorkshire Ambulance Service said it received a call at 12.27pm on Thursday.

A community paramedic, road ambulance and a Yorkshire Air Ambulance helicopter were sent to the scene.