Trolls attack grieving parents of ‘perfect’ boy killed in hotel tragedy
MEN / GETTY A couple have condemned the online trolls who criticised them following the death of their son
Jackson Yates, aged 17 months, had just left a children’s concert with his mother when he was run over by a Toyota Rav4. Police are investigating last Thursday’s incident in a car park outside the Ibis Hotel in Manchester, but say it was a “truly tragic accident”. Devastated mother Cheryl, 37, paid tribute to her “perfect son who never stopped smiling”.
However, she revealed she had also received online abuse over Jackson’s death. The bank worker said: “People have been putting comments online, saying things like I shouldn’t have let him run off. “But he hadn’t run off – if he had been running off he would probably still be here.”
TWITTER Jackson Yates, aged 17 months, was with his mother when he was run over
She added: “I do want to thank the police in Manchester – they have been amazing.” Cheryl and other relatives were crossing the car park at 9.15pm when Jackson was fatally injured. Jackson’s dad Carl and the toddler’s brother Josh, 16, had stayed at home in Yarm, North Yorkshire, instead of going to the Night Garden Live concert.
You couldn’t ask for a better little boy Carl Yates
Paying tribute to his son, Carl, 31, said: “You couldn’t ask for a better little boy. He was perfect.” He added: “If his mother came in from work he would give her a little cuddle or a kiss. If I came in from work he would run over and cuddle my legs.” Cheryl said: “He was so clever – he picked things up so easily. He never stopped, he was always smiling. He was loving as well. He was cheeky, he was such a character and absolutely fearless.
MEN Tribute: Father Carl with Jackson
“He would go head-first down slides. We took him to Disneyland last year and he went on all the rides. We’re still going to go this year. We’re going to release some balloons for him.” Carl added: “His face when he saw Mickey Mouse made my holiday. I think he would have gone on all the big rides too if he was allowed.” Although the serious collision investigation unit at Greater Manchester Police is investigating the incident it said there are no suspicious circumstances.
GETTY Police are investigating last Thursday’s incident in a car park outside the Ibis Hotel