The parents of a boy who was killed in a tragic tobogganing collision at Tamworth Snowdome lay down on the slope and held hands with him after he died.
Louis Watkiss (12 years old), from Sutton Coldfield died on September 24, at Tamworth’s popular ski area in Staffordshire.
Chris Watkiss was at home, as were his parents Natalie Watkiss. They received a call saying that Louis had been injured while tobogganing with friends.
The family are now calling for a change in the law to make helmets mandatory for minors during similar indoor snow activities.
Louis Watkiss, 12, of Sutton Coldfield, was killed in September at Tamworth’s popular ski area in Staffordshire.
His parents, Chris and Natalie Watkiss, were at home when they got a call to say Louis had been hurt during a tobogganing party with friends at Tamworth Snowdome (pictured)
Family members are calling for changes in the law that would make helmets compulsory during activities similar to those described by them
Watkiss spoke to BBC Radio WM and said that ‘I had no idea to warn him to be careful.
Louis’ worst-case scenario would have been a broken leg, even though an air ambulance was visible outside of the venue.
Mr Watkiss followed paramedics up the slope towards Louis which he described as ‘a very nerve-wracking walk’.
“There was quite a bit of blood, and he was declared dead before me in a matter of minutes.
‘I laid with him for a bit, told him he was a good boy and how much I loved him.’
After Mrs Watkiss had joined him, they laid down together and held hands for around half an hour.
Louis achieved grade 5 in the Royal Academy of Music as a skilled saxophone musician.
Louis, a gifted saxophone player, reached grade 5 at the Royal Academy of Music
Louis was killed. Tobogganing is now prohibited at SnowDome, until Health and Safety Executive has determined that risks can be managed
Andrew Mitchell, the family’s local MP is working to modify the law and make helmets compulsory.
His parents stated that he deserved a legacy.
Tobogganing at SnowDome has been prohibited since Louis’ death, until the Health and Safety Executive can determine if risks can be managed.
SnowDome stated that it would continue to collaborate with Staffordshire Police on investigating the incident.
In a statement, Tamworth SnowDome said: ‘Everyone here is still profoundly shocked and saddened by Louis’s death, and our thoughts remain very much with his grieving family.
“This young person’s death is tragic. “We have offered our complete cooperation to the authorities in their investigation.”