‘Affectionate and caring’ toddler died of head injury after being hit by tractor on his father’s farm, inquest hears

• Albie Speakman, 3, died after a tractor collision on father Neil Speakman’s farm 
• An inquest heard Albie was with his father in Bury when he suffered the injury
• His mother Leah Bridge called Albie her ‘little sunshine boy’ in a tribute to him
• She has asked people to pay their respects at his funeral next Tuesday, August 9

An ‘affectionate and caring’ toddler died of a head injury after being hit by a tractor on his father’s farm, an inquest opening has heard.

Police are still investigating the death of three-year-old Albie Speakman who died after the farm collision in the outskirts Bury, Greater Manchester on July 16.

Rochdale Coroner’s Court today heard that the toddler was with his father Neil Speakman when he was hit by tractor in the village of Walshaw.

It was confirmed that a postmortem investigation revealed that Albie died of a head injury.

The type of vehicle was not mentioned during the brief hearing, but police have previously confirmed it was a tractor.

Pictured: Albie Speakman being swung by dad Neil Speakman and his partner Millie Barrick during in a show of support for the England Football team

Albie Speakman (pictured left and right with his mother Leah Bridge) died aged three after being hit by a tractor at his father’s farm in Bury, Manchester

‘Albie (left) was an incredibly loving, affectionate and caring boy who just wanted everyone to be happy,’ his mother Leah Bridge (right) said in a tribute

Albie’s family desperately tried to get him to hospital before flagging an ambulance on Rochdale Old Road, Bury, at around 12.45pm.

However, the toddler was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics. 

He was identified by heartbroken mother Leah Bridge after his death was confirmed when he arrived at the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital.

Coroners officer Jane Scullion told the court: ‘Albie was with his father at his farm when he was struck by a farm vehicle. The police investigation is ongoing.’

Coroner Catherine Mckenna said: ‘I am satisfied an inquest is required by law.’

She ordered an inquest review for September 13, and requested an update from the police into their investigation.

Albie’s mother Ms Bridge previously paid tribute to her son after his death, describing him as a ‘little sunshine boy’ who ‘loved to play’.

In an emotional statement released by police after his death, she said: ‘Albie was an incredibly loving, affectionate and caring boy who just wanted everyone to be happy.

‘He was so sensitive and wanted everyone to be ok, especially the people that he loved.

‘He loved to play – whether it be with his family or friends at nursery – he would always look for little round things wherever he went, stones, polystyrene balls, bouncy balls, beads – I’m not sure why but he just loved anything round, he would just hold onto them.

‘His favourite memories are at Cleethorpes beach, with his bucket and spade and his ball.

‘We all love Albie so much more than we can ever put into words – especially his Nan and his ‘Nanny-Nanny’, as he would always call her’

‘I’m not sure how to carry on this life without you but I will find a way to be strong for you and make you proud,’ his mother said

Albie Speakman, aged three, has been described as a ‘ray of sunshine’ who his family will not forgot 

She said: ‘His happiest days were on that beach, we were so free and didn’t have any cares in the world.’

‘It was just me and Albie and nothing else mattered.

‘Whenever I’d ask him what he wanted to do, he’d want to go on holiday to the beach again; that’s how I know he was truly happy there.

‘We all love Albie so much more than we can ever put into words – especially his Nan and his ‘Nanny-Nanny’, as he would always call her.

‘I will miss absolutely everything about Albie, his voice, his smile, the smell of his skin and the feel of his little hands on my face when he would say “I love you mummy girl”.

‘I’ll especially miss going on adventures with Albie, anywhere and everywhere we could have fun; nothing will ever fill the whole that he has left in our hearts, we are broken beyond repair.

‘I always call him my little sunshine boy because he has brought so much light into my life and he is my little ray of sunshine, and I don’t want his life to end here, I need to carry on living for him and take him with me wherever I go.

‘We still have so many more memories to make, Albie!

‘I love him so much and I know he will find his way back to me someday, somehow, because we need each other.

‘Until then I will look for him in everything I do and I will celebrate his life.

‘I’m not sure how to carry on this life without you but I will find a way to be strong for you and make you proud.’

Rochdale Coroner’s Court today heard Albie (centre) was with his father Neil Speakman (right) when he was hit by tractor in the village of Walshaw

Albie’s mother Leah Bridge has asked well-wishers to line the streets to pay their respects ahead of his funeral next Tuesday, August 9 in Radcliffe where a horse-drawn carriage will take him from the town centre to East Lancashire Crematorium at 1.45pm. Mourners are invited to attend the funeral at 2.30pm

Mrs Bridge has asked well-wishers to line the streets to pay their respects ahead of his funeral next Tuesday, August 9, the Manchester Evening News reports.

His funeral is due to take place at East Lancashire Crematorium, in Radcliffe and a horse-drawn carriage will take Albie from Radcliffe town centre to the crematorium.

The toddler’s mother has asked friends, family and members of the community to line Ainsworth Road in the town from 1.45pm to say their final goodbyes.

Anyone wishing to pay their respects has been asked to wear colourful clothing.

Mourners are also invited to attend the funeral, which starts at 2.30pm.

In the days following Albie’s death, friends and family held a vigil in Radcliffe in memory of the ‘sunshine boy’.

Mourners laid candles and released balloons to mark his passing.

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