A five-year-old boy died after a large mirror fell on him in Fenwick department store in Colchester.
Freddie had a traumatic brain injury and was taken to a local hospital before being moved to Cambridge, where he died on August 2, 2021.
An inquest investigated Freddie’s death for five days and concluded that the mirror was not safely installed. The jury reported that the unsecured mirror should have been on the ground.
Freddie’s mom shared a statement through police, saying that losing a child is very painful. The family thinks of Freddie every day, remembering his loving and fun personality, and his loss creates a permanent emptiness. They want to live with love and joy.
Police, a construction firm, and shop-fitters testified, and the Health and Safety Executive gave evidence. The mirror was over eight feet tall and weighed between 132 and 176 pounds.
The inquest heard that the mirror was unsecured, and a detective said Freddie touched it lightly before it fell on him. CCTV showed Freddie looking at his reflection. Police found broken wood on the bracket and metal on the wall.
His mom thanked the police for trying to help, especially officer Lee Compton, who tried to save Freddie at the scene. She believes his actions gave them extra time to say goodbye.
The court showed its respect for Freddie with a moment of silence. A police chief said the day was devastating, and officers remember it well. The community showed support after Freddie died.
