Shropshire Star

Minsterley tragedy: Boy killed after 'being knocked down by father driving 4x4' is named

The little boy who was killed in a tragic accident on a garage forecourt has been named as Stelios Karsas.

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Stelios Karsas, left, was killed after being knocked down close to his family's fish and chip shop, right

It is believed the 19-month-old was run over by his own father who was driving the family's Hyundai Santa Fe 4x4.

The toddler's Filipino mother, Mirasol, saw the accident take place and watched helplessly while passers-by tried desperately to save the youngster's life.

He was declared dead at the scene outside the family's Friends Fish and Chip shop at just after 11am on Thursday.

Friends understand his Cypriot dad – also called Stelios – had reversed over him in on the forecourt of the petrol station in Minsterley.

His Cypriot dad also called Stelios

Passers-by have revealed how they desperately fought to save Stelios' life

Nursing home carer Simon Jones was passing the scene and he and a colleague performed CPR in a desperate attempt to keep him alive until an ambulance could arrive.

Simon said: "Nothing can prepare you for what I saw that day.

Floral tributes have been left at the scene by members of the community

"When I arrived a colleague of mine was already there. Her husband waved me over and suddenly I saw the little boy lying on his side.

"I turned him with my colleague's assistance slightly more on his side to clear his airway.

"Another lady behind me was on the phone to the ambulance operator, who told us we had to start CPR.

"My colleague assisted by doing the compressions while I concentrated on the breaths, and we did this until the ambulance arrived.

"His mum was there and she was in bits but once we started CPR everything else became background noise.

"It made me feel useless in all truth. I'm properly broken and I can't close my eyes without seeing his face.

"I'm so sorry I couldn't do more. I'll always think of him even though I never knew him.”

A growing pile of bouquets and teddy bears along with paper angels and wreaths have been left at the scene by distraught villagers.

A message left on flowers at the scene

His parents, who have been married for four years and have two other children were comforting each other at their family home on the outskirts of Shrewsbury.

Mirasol said: “We don't want to say anything. It is an incredibly tough time.”

A family friend added: “I've spoken to Mirasol because she cannot accept what has happened. It is hard to explain what her husband is going through. I hope they will get over it as they are not angry with each other.”

The fish and chip shop stands next to a petrol station

West Mercia Police have made an appeal for witnesses to the incident.

Anyone with information should call 101, quoting incident number 245s of 21 December.

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