A father sobbed in court as he recounted the tragic accident that killed his three-year-old son. He expressed his heartbreak, saying it was unfair to be in this situation.
Bury: A heartbreaking incident unfolded when a father accidentally ran over his son. Neil Speakman, 39, was using a telehandler at his farm when the tragedy occurred.
His three-year-old son, Albie, was playing in the garden with the family dogs. Sadly, he suffered severe head injuries and was pronounced dead later that day.
During the trial, Neil was visibly shaken. He said, “I messed up… I made a mistake.” He admitted he shouldn’t have left Albie in the garden while he worked.
Neil claimed he was careful and always checked for his son. He felt a bump and immediately knew something was wrong. “I jumped off the machine and scooped him up,” he recalled, tears streaming down his face.
He tried to perform CPR while waiting for help. The court heard that the telehandler had defects, including a missing mirror, which made it hard to see behind.
Prosecutors argued that Neil’s negligence created a serious risk. They said the circumstances were exceptionally bad, leading to gross negligence charges.
Neil, who had used the machine hundreds of times, insisted he was competent. He had no idea the reversing sound was broken or that the lights didn’t work.
He defended his decision to let Albie play outside, saying it was a hot day and his son wanted to be with the dogs. “Why would I lock him inside?” he asked, clearly distressed.
The trial continues as the court examines the tragic events that led to this devastating loss.
