Deception Bay toddler killed in his own driveway north of Brisbane named as Ethan James Rayner
Read the powerful message from loved ones to a boy – less than a year old – who was killed when a car backed over him as he played in the driveway: ‘Now it’s our turn’
- Baby boy fatally run over while playing in driveway
- Ethan James Rayner was about to become one
- His best friend left a heartfelt note at home
The 11-month-old toddler who was tragically killed when he was run over while playing in his driveway has been identified as little Ethan James Rayner.
The baby boy, who was just weeks away from celebrating his first birthday, was found in critical condition Monday morning at a home in Deception Bay, north of Brisbane, after being tragically hit by the reversing car.
The child is said to have suffered serious head injuries in the collision, with a male relative reportedly behind the wheel.
His heartbroken parents Shandelle and Jayden Rayner are comforted by friends and family as the community gathers around them with a call for fundraising.
“The pain they have to live with right now is unimaginable and no parent should have to go through what these two are going through,” said organizer Tanechka Mcaleese.
“Anyone who knows Jayden and Shandelle would know that they are the most selfless of people and will do anything for anyone in need. Now it’s our turn.’
The 11-month-old toddler who was tragically killed when he was run over while playing in his driveway has been identified as little Ethan James Rayner (pictured)
A heartfelt note was left at a home where a toddler was tragically run over while playing in his driveway
Mourners leave flowers and candles at the house in Deception Bay, north of Brisbane
A heartbreaking note left by a friend in the aftermath of the tragedy described the toddler as having “the biggest smile.”
“Dear Ethan, I see you crying, laughing and smiling,” wrote his “best friend” Alexus in a letter he left at home among the hugs and flowers.
“I see you crawling, standing and walking. But you also showed me how to be patient and kind and not cry over spilled milk, even if you did.
You gave me the biggest heart full of love and joy. You will always be my little buddy. I will never forget you, the boy with the biggest smile.
‘Lots of love.’
Earlier on Tuesday, mourners were seen delivering bouquets of flowers and candles.
The baby’s grandmother, Carolyn Glenn, said her son and the baby’s mother traveled to Redcliffe Hospital with paramedics.
“I’m just numb,” Ms. Glenn told the Courier Mail.
“You see this happening to other families. I can’t believe it happened to us.”
The boy’s aunt said she still couldn’t believe she had lost her nephew.
Donna Lo Giudice was walking past the house when disaster struck.
Mourners have paid their respects to the baby boy
The boy was playing in the driveway at the time of the tragic accident
“The screaming I heard just broke me,” she said.
“It was a very loud scream, which was hard to explain, and the next moment it was quiet and a few minutes later the police came.”
A report is being prepared for the coroner.
The Queensland Family and Child Commission’s annual report, Deaths of Children and Young People Queensland 2021-22, found that 17 people have died from being run over by low speed vehicles in the past five years.
About 82 percent of the deaths occurred in the child’s home or the home of someone they know.
The QFCC was part of serious discussions with the federal government and explored the possibility of mandating reverse-detection systems.
“In-vehicle reversing assist technologies such as cameras and proximity alerts have the potential to prevent run-overs,” the report said.
“The QFCC has submitted a submission in support of the option that would mandate a new national standard for road vehicles.