Graveyard tragedy family compensated

The youngster died after a gravestone fell on him

The parents of a six-year-old North Yorkshire boy who was crushed to death when a five feet high gravestone toppled on him have been paid £33,000 compensation.

Harrogate Council has agreed the out-of-court settlement with the family of Reuben Powell.

Reuben died from head injuries in the incident at Grove Road Cemetery in July 2000.

The youngster often played in the Harrogate cemetery, collecting conkers.

The council has made the payment without admitting liability for the incident.

The sum mainly recognises the trauma suffered by Reuben's mother, Jeanette Powell, 40, who was at the scene and saw her son's injuries when the memorial stone was lifted off him.

She and Reuben's father Richard Powell, also 40, moved away from the Harrogate area after the tragedy and now live in Hertfordshire. They have no other children.

Mr and Mrs Powell will now be able to move gently forward with the rest of their lives Harrogate Borough Council spokeswoman

A council spokeswoman said: "Harrogate Borough Council is pleased that an agreement has been reached and that an out-of-court settlement has been made.

"Whilst no amount of legal proceedings will ever be able to turn back the clock, the council sincerely hopes that with the conclusion of legal proceedings Mr and Mrs Powell will now be able to move gently forward with the rest of their lives."

The tragedy prompted the council to inspect 16,000 gravestones, and 6,000 memorials were laid flat after being found to be unstable.