Tears for boy, 10, crushed to death in Topshop horror
A SCHOOLBOY crushed to death by a falling barrier in Topshop has been named as 10-year-old Kaden Reddick.
The youngster suffered severe head injuries in the half-term accident.
Customers left the store in tears after the tragedy on Monday.
Kaden had been shopping with a relative in the Oracle Shopping Centre in Reading. He was certified dead in hospital despite the efforts of doctors.
Yesterday a full-scale investigation was launched, involving police and local council safety officials.
The death is being treated as unexplained but non-suspicious.
Floral tributes were later laid by the entrance to the store.
His parents, Lisa Cooper Mallett and Ian Reddick, are being comforted by family and friends.
Kaden’s aunt Chantelle, who lives in Plymouth, said: “Kaden only ever made me laugh and smile.
“He had an infectious personality and the world is now truly missing the sweetest boy it could have asked for.”
A spokesman for Thames Valley Police said it was not policy to confirm or deny the child’s identity until his body had been formally identified.
Family members and friends took to social media to express their shock.
Tributes poured in after Kaden’s mother Lisa changed her Facebook profile picture to a school photograph of him. His father Ian, who works at a funeral directors, also changed his photograph to one of him and his son. It said: “Love you my little man, it’s hurting so much xx”
A police community support officer and a security guard were yesterday posted at the store which was closed.
Paramedics had struggled briefly to save the boy as he lay in the Topshop store before deciding to take him to nearby Royal Berkshire Hospital.
His head injuries were so severe there was no chance of saving him.
Detective Superintendent Paul Hayles said: “This is a tragic incident in which a boy has lost his life.
“We are supporting the boy’s family to assist them at this very difficult time.
“We continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding this death.
“Detectives are working with the local authority and the store owners to gather all the information on how this incident happened.”
In 2013, Austen Harrison, four, was killed when a mirror fell on him as he shopped with his father in Hugo Boss at the Bicester Village complex.
He was in the store’s changing room when the 19-stone mirror toppled.
Hugo Boss was fined £1.2million after the tragedy.