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Loving tributes for Burnley toddler killed in freak TV accident
McKenzie Birkett-Waddington died after a TV fell onto him in a tragic accident at his Burnley home. (s)
THE family of a smiling, happy and loving toddler have been left heartbroken after he died in a tragic accident at his Burnley home.
McKenzie Birkett-Waddington had been playing at his home in Hollingreave Road when a television set toppled over and fell on top of him.
The 22-month-old boy, who had been days away from starting pre-nursery school, was airlifted to the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital for emergency treatment on serious head injuries last Monday.
Doctors battled to save McKenzie’s life but after hours of surgery he died with his family by his side.
McKenzie’s mum Jade Birkett paid tribute to her precious little boy who lit up every room with his “cheeky chappy” smile.
She said: “He was always really happy and he was always smiling. He was a really cheery child.”
Grandmother Zoe described him as a “little diamond” and said he would always pucker-up for a kiss from his family.
She said: “He was such a loving boy and everybody loved him. Everywhere we took him everybody was always making a fuss of him.”
McKenzie, who was affectionately called “Chucky” because of his spiky hair, would follow mum Jade everywhere and loved bouncing on her knee.
Jade said: “Everywhere I went, he was behind me. He even had a little chair that he would stand on and watch me cooking.”
She said that McKenzie loved his family and enjoyed playing with big brother Mason (4) and his younger sibling Kian Crawford who is six months old.
Jade said her son was energetic and adventurous and from the moment he could walk he was never still.
His family said he was a bubbly child who had his own little language.
He would love to sit and watch his favourite CBeebies shows “Baby Jake” and “Raa Raa” and would even sing along to “Small Potato”.
The family spent a wonderful Christmas together and McKenzie was happy gathering up everybody’s selection boxes and even eating a full roast Christmas dinner with sprouts.
Jade said he was looking forward to starting pre-nursery in the New Year and had fun playing with balloons during his introduction session.
She said: “He was a really good child. He was very boisterous. He loved his family. He loved playing with his brothers.”
McKenzie’s funeral was due to take place at St Stephen’s Church yesterday followed by a committal at Burnley Crematorium.
His family hope to plant a tree and set up a memorial bench as a lasting tribute to him.
He is survived by mum Jade, dad Daniel and brothers Mason and Kian.
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Weather for Burnley
Sunday 19 May 2013
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 10 C to 16 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: North west
Tomorrow
Light showers
Temperature: 10 C to 19 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: North
