A two-year-old boy has been named as the victim of a tragic crash in Whitstable after a car ploughed into his family and through a barrier into a car park.
Sonny Macdonald, who was being pushed in his pram, was just minutes from home in Cromwell Road when the incident happened on Saturday, 16 August.
An inquest heard Sonny’s parents were walking him back from a trip to the beach when a vehicle turning from Harbour Street into Cromwell Road “lost control” and drove into the family. Sonny’s father sustained serious injuries.
The car then smashed through a metal barrier and plunged about six feet into Gorrell Tank car park, carrying the child with it.
Inquest details
Opening the inquest at Oakwood House in Maidstone, Coroner Katrina Hepburn said:
Community response
Floral tributes, teddies and messages of condolence have been left at the site. Firefighters, who sent three engines to the scene, also paid their respects.
Local MP Rosie Duffield said:
“I was shocked and very saddened to hear about the horrific incident in Whitstable, and I cannot begin to imagine what the family of the little boy who lost his life must be going through. My thoughts are with them and all caught up in this awful tragedy.”
She urged anyone with dashcam footage or information to contact Kent Police to assist the investigation.
Canterbury City Council, which manages the car park, expressed condolences to the family.
Police appeal
Kent Police have asked witnesses to call 01622 798538 or email [email protected], quoting reference BN/AL/058/25. CCTV and dashcam footage can be uploaded via the online portal.
