Boy, 5, died when ‘large mirror fell on him in department store while he looked at reflection’

A YOUNG boy died when a large mirror fell on him in a department store while he looked at his reflection, an inquest heard.

Freddie Farrow appeared to touch the mirror using "very little force" when it toppled over at the Fenwick store in Colchester, Essex.

The five-year-old was crushed underneath the piece of furniture, which weighed up to 80kg, and suffered a "catastrophic" brain injury.

An inquest was told the mirror "must have been very near or on its balance point" when it fell.

Temporary Detective Chief Inspector Michael Pannell was called to the store on July 27, 2021.

He said there was broken glass on the floor and a "considerable amount of blood".

The officer told the court there was a metal bracket on the wall, a metal bracket on the mirror and a wooden part of the bracket that was in pieces.

He added: "It was my view that this part of the bracket between the two metal brackets had effectively come apart, leaving it freestanding and leaning against the wall."

DCI Pannell said CCTV showed Freddie entering the lingerie department with his mum and her friend.

The youngster then appeared to touch the mirror while looking at his reflection.

There was a "shimmer" before the item began "moving forwards".

Freddie was then hit on the "top and back of his head" - causing him to fall unconscious.

DCI Pannell said Freddie "doesn't really apply any force to the mirror which weighs a significant amount, then (the mirror) leans forward and hits him".

He was rushed to hospital but tragically died two days later on August 2.

Freddie's mum, Natasha Ingham described her son as "cheeky and funny and clever" in a moving tribute.

She told the inquest: "He was always smiling which was like a ray of sunshine."

Freddie's dad Andrew Farrow said it "feels like part of our world is missing" following his son's death.

The inquest, estimated to last four to five days, continues.