Garden roller death of boy, 4, declared accidental

A four-year-old boy is believed to have died after he was thrown over the handles of an antique garden roller, an inquest heard.

Maldwyn Gwern Evans, known as Gwern, died at his home on Blaenesgair Farm, Tynreithin, Ceredigion, on 20 June.

Ceredigion coroner Peter Brunton said the post-mortem examination showed he died at the scene from an "untreatable" and "incurable" head injury, and concluded the death was accidental.

His family called Gwern a "keen little farmer" with a "captivating personality", and previously thanked those who supported them during a "horrific time".

The inquest was told no-one saw what happened and there were a number of possibilities.

Mr Brunton said it was most likely he pushed the roller from behind by the handle and it rolled forward.

“He tried to hold the roller back but failed," he said.

The roller continued to the bottom of the garden where the handle flipped over.

Gwern was, Mr Brunton said, thrown over the roller and hit his head on the patio.

Det Con Richard Taberner told the inquest the roller weighed 50-60kg (110-132lb) and it was feasible "healthy and tall" Gwern could have moved it.

The inquest heard a statement from Gwern's mother, Sian Eleri Evans, which said her son had returned from school, eaten his dinner and gone into the garden to play.

She said: "I was in the kitchen and I heard a thud. I instantly thought it had been the roller and I ran out."

The "homemade antique" had been in the garden for two years, she said, and was moved about two weeks before the accident.

It was on flat grass, but the garden was steeper where Gwern was found.

"I’d never seen Gwern play with the roller," Ms Evans said.

Her son was "strong and determined" and would have been able to move it, she said.

"The loss is unimaginable not only to myself, his father and his sister, but to family and friends," Ms Evans said.