A TWO-year-old boy was killed as his parents walked him back from the beach, an inquest heard.
Sonny Macdonald was in his pushchair, just minutes away from home, when a car crashed into the family at around 8.15pm on August 16.
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Tragedy struck as the vehicle lost control and smashed through a metal barrier in Gorrell Tank car park, Whitstable, Kent.
Sonny was pronounced dead at the scene, while his parents were rushed to hospital with serious injuries.
An inquest into the two-year-old’s death was opened at Oakwood House in Maidstone on Friday.
Coroner Katrina Hepburn said: “His mother and father witnessed his death, which occurred at approximately 8.24pm.
“[They] were walking back from Whitstable beach from the harbour with Sonny, who was in a pushchair.”
She said the car turned into Cromwell Road, “lost control” and “drove into the family”, as reported by Kent Online.
“The vehicle continued through a metal barrier down onto a car park below, around a six-foot drop, taking Sonny with it,” the coroner added.
Due to an ongoing police investigation, the inquest was adjourned.
Kent Police arrested a man in his 20s at the scene of the horror, on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.
He has been bailed while investigations are ongoing.
Floral tributes and cuddly toys were left at the scene in wake of the tragedy.
Canterbury and Whitstable MP Rosie Duffield said at the time: “I was shocked and very saddened to hear about the horrific incident in Whitstable, and I cannot begin to imagine what the family of the little boy who lost his life must be going through.
“My thoughts are with them and all caught up in this awful tragedy.
”Thank you to our excellent emergency services and all who were there to help, I hope the Police are able to carry out their investigations swiftly and provide some answers about what happened.
“I would urge anyone who may have been nearby to contact Kent Police in case you may have picked up important evidence on your dashcam, or witnessed something that may turn out to be significant.”
Witnesses who have not yet spoken to police, should call 01622 798538 or email [email protected], quoting reference BN/AL/058/25.
Relevant CCTV and dashcam footage can be uploaded via the online portal.
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