HANDBRAKE ON IN PEARL CAR TRAGEDY
AN unattended Range Rover that rolled down a driveway and into a wall, killing a one-year-old girl, had its handbrake “fully applied”, an inquest heard.
Pearl Melody Black, daughter of a tattoo artist who appeared on TV talent show The Voice, died on Sunday after the vehicle rolled across a road and demolished a wall, which fell on to her at an address in Heolgerrig, Merthyr Tydfil.
Aberdare Coroner’s Court opened the inquest into her death and heard that the automatic transmission of the Range Rover, which was on a driveway in Beechwood Drive in the village, was believed to be in park at the time.
Coroner’s officer Gareth Heatley said: “The vehicle had been left parked insecure with the automatic transmission in park and the handbrake fully applied.
“As the vehicle gained momentum down the driveway it has travelled across the road and on to the footpath opposite, demolishing the boundary wall. That same wall has collapsed. Tragically, it fell on to one-year-old Pearl, who has been walking on the footpath, causing crush injuries, I am told.”
The court heard paramedics attended and Pearl was airlifted to Prince Charles Hospital, in Merthyr Tydfil, where she died a short time later.
Mr Heatley said Pearl’s father, Paul Black, identified her body the same day and a post-mortem examination was carried out on Wednesday. He added: “The cause of death has yet to be ascertained.”
Coroner Andrew Barkley adjourned the inquest until October 4.
Pearl was taken to hospital at around 1.39pm on Sunday with her younger brother, who was injured in the incident.
Pearl could not be saved, while her brother suffered minor injuries. Her parents, Paul and Gemma Black, paid tribute to the youngster on Monday, saying, “she was the reason we all lived”.
In a statement released by South Wales Police, they said: “Pearl was every single star in every single sky, she was as bright as the stars, when she looked at you with those eyes and she would melt your heart.
“She was the reddest pearl in the ocean and the sweetest melody ever written.
“She was the greatest dancer and she has left a massive hole in our hearts, the world will be a darker place without her.”
Mr Black, who is well known as a singer and entertainer in the village, and who once joked he was Sir Tom Jones’ son when he appeared on the BBC show in 2014, later wrote on his Facebook page, Paul Black Music: “My life is on hold. Indefinitely. Thank you to all wishers. I’m a broken man.”
On Monday members of the community spoke of their shock, and well-wishers left bouquets of flowers and a grey teddy bear near the damaged wall.
Resident Rebecca Morgan, 30, spoke to the Press Association, and said she saw Mr Black standing near the site of the accident from a window on Sunday night.
She said the village had been eerily quiet after the incident.
The homeowner whose garden wall was demolished said: “It is just tragic, harrowing.”
Police are appealing for witnesses to come forward.
A spokeswoman from Land Rover UK, which produces Range Rovers, said: “This is a tragic incident and we will fully co-operate with any police investigation.
“Our thoughts are with the family at this very sad time.”