Tributes paid to tragic crash boy Xander, 3
TRIBUTES have been paid to a ‘bubbly’ three-year-old boy who died following a crash outside a charity shop.
Xander Irvine suffered fatal injuries when he was hit by a car travelling on Morningside Road, Edinburgh, on Tuesday.
Police yesterday named the young victim, whose family described him as a ‘chatterbox who loved books’.
Xander and his mother Victoria, from Edinburgh, were out for a walk when they were struck by a car that had mounted the pavement and then crashed into a St Columba’s Hospice charity shop.
Mrs Irvine, 37, suffered injuries but was discharged from hospital yesterday.
The driver of the car, a 91-yearold woman, was uninjured.
In a statement, the family said: ‘Xander was a very happy, bubbly, intelligent little boy who was very dearly loved by his parents Victoria and Paul.
‘Xander was a real chatterbox who just loved books and playing with his Lego. He really enjoyed life and he enriched the lives of everyone he met. Victoria and Paul are devastated and feel as if their hearts have been ripped out.’
It added: ‘What will we do without you Xander?’
Inspector Roger Park of Edinburgh city road policing unit said: ‘Our thoughts remain with the family of Xander at this incredibly difficult time. Inquiries into the crash are ongoing, a full forensic collision investigation was carried out at the time and officers continue to look at CCTV and dashcam footage, as well as tracing and speaking to witnesses who have come forward.
‘Xander’s mother, also injured in the incident, has now been discharged from hospital following treatment.
‘The driver of the red Kia, a 91year-old woman, was uninjured. I wish to express my sincere thanks to the members of the public who intervened and assisted in the immediate aftermath of this tragic incident and to the police and other emergency services who were on the scene.’
Local residents and businesses have been laying flowers in tribute. No one working in the shop was injured.