Inquiry into toddler tractor death

Tributes have been paid to William Gittins, two

An investigation is underway after a toddler was killed after being hit by a tractor on his family's farm in mid Wales on New Year's Day.

The inquiry is being conducted jointly by Dyfed-Powys Police and the Health and Safety Executive into the death of two-year-old William Gittins.

He was a proper little farmer and it was Gordon's big hope that one day he would take on the farm

Heather Gittins

William Gittins was hit by a tractor as he stood with his father Gordon in the farmyard of the farm at Meifod near Welshpool in Powys.

William, who would have celebrated his third birthday next week, was rushed to hospital in Shrewsbury.

He died soon after having suffered serious head injuries.

A post mortem examination was due to be carried out on Wednesday.

The two-year-old's family had been hoping that he would one day have taken over the livestock farm where he died.

His mother Heather said the family has also been looking forward to celebrating William's third birthday with his first every birthday party as a treat next week.

Feeding lambs

In a statement issued through Dyfed-Powys Police, Mrs Gittins said: "He was a beautiful boy, and was such a character.

"This is just so unfair. He always wanted to go out and help his dad on the farm and last year, even though he was still small, he was out feeding the lambs.

"He was a proper little farmer and it was Gordon's big hope that one day he would take on the farm," said Mrs Gittins.

She said that it was a "terrible accident" and the family wanted to make it clear they were not blaming anyone.

"William had such a short life, but he brought us a lot of joy.

"We're going to miss him so much."

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) said investigators would be inspecting the accident scene over the next few days.

According to the latest available figures, published by the HSE last July, seven people were killed in agricultural accidents in Wales in the last year.

This was an increase of two on the previous year's figures.