The 14-year-old was building a treehouse with his friend on a County Durham farm
A father has described the death of his teenage son who died in a farm accident as his ‘worst nightmare.’ Aaron Anderson, 14, was injured whilst building a treehouse with his friend.
The “popular” boy passed away in hospital on Boxing Day, four days after the incident on the County Durham farm where his friend lived.
Aaron’s heartbroken family are now planning to lay the popular truck-loving lad to rest at a funeral that will celebrate his life, The Chronicle reports.
And today his proud dad has spoken for the first time to pay tribute to his son.
Craig Anderson revealed the moment he discovered Aaron would not survive his injuries, and his determination to make sure his popular boy’s legacy lives on.
The 39-year-old said: “It’s been horrendous. It’s your worst nightmare. No family should have to go through it.”
Aaron lived with his parents Craig and Donna, in Consett, County Durham, and was a loving little brother to 26-year-old Lewis.
On December 21 he went to play with a friend at the farm, off the B6310 near Burnopfield, Craig said.
Police say Aaron was seriously injured when a John Deere Gator farm vehicle overturned.
He was taken to the Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI) in Newcastle.
Workshop manager Craig had been attending a funeral in Blackpool when the incident happened, and Donna discovered Aaron had been injured when she went to collect him.
“He was just there with his friend playing. They were building a treehouse then the accident happened,” said Craig.
“My wife went to collect him. She didn’t know anything about the accident until she arrived on site and saw the police.”
As Aaron was treated in hospital his family hung onto the hope that he might recover.
But tragically nothing could be done to save his life and he passed away four days later.
“We had a little bit of hope for a couple of days, then they realised,” said Craig. “The staff at the RVI were incredible, and the police and all the emergency services were incredible.
“We are also so proud of Aaron’s friends who were with him and they are in our thoughts.”
Consett Academy student Aaron dreamed of becoming a mechanic, and loved trucks, his dad said. And the popular teen made friends wherever he went.
“He was a loving 14-year-old boy. He had his whole life ahead of him,” said Craig. “He was well-loved and respected by everyone he met.
He had a lot of friends at school, a lot of friends at my work and a lot of friends in the trucking community.
He was really well known, he attended all the truck shows.
He was just a loving child. He was going to be a mechanic. He had done it for years with me, he had always been interested.
“He enjoyed school and had a lot of friends. He was very clever and academic, but his passion was working with his hands.”
Aaron and his family were regulars at the The Truck Show at Barnard Castle.
The event’s organiser, Stephen Hall, is now appealing to drivers to join a convoy of vehicles that will accompany Aaron to the crematorium when he is laid to rest next week.
And Craig said the family want the funeral to be a true celebration of Newcastle United fan Aaron’s life.
“We are all focused on the funeral. It’s not a funeral for us, it’s a celebration of his life,” he said.
“Aaron wouldn’t want a morbid funeral. It’s going to be bright colours and football strips.
“We want everything he was into. We are all wearing Newcastle strips with ‘Forever 14’ on them. He loved Newcastle United.
“It’s been absolutely amazing. It’s brought everyone together.
“We can’t thank the trucking community enough. Having the trucks turn out for him is something he would have loved.”
A page on the online fundraising site GoFundMe has also been set-up to help cover the costs of Aaron’s funeral, with almost £8,000 donated so far.
Any additional money raised will be donated to charities and the RVI.
Craig said the family were determined to continue raising money. And he told the Chronicle that Aaron had already helped others by donating his organs.
He added: “We want to make a difference in Aaron’s name going forward. We have raised a lot of money for charity.”
Aaron’s family would like to thank everyone who has supported them during the worst time of their lives, including the hospital and emergency services.
They have also thanked Stephen and Lisa Handy who has also helped arrange the convoy.
“They were absolutely fantastic. They made a massive difference,” Craig added.
Aaron’s funeral will be held at Mounsett Crematorium, in Dipton, near Stanley, at 12.30pm on Friday January 16.
Truckers have been asked to meet at Hownsgill Industrial Estate in Consett at 10.30am so they can follow the funeral cars in their vehicles.
Drivers are also asked to put brightly coloured ribbons and bows on their trucks if they can.
Aaron’s death is being investigated by Durham Constabulary.
The Health and Safety Executive today confirmed that it had liaised with the force but was not currently probing the incident.
