Topshop till display which 'crushed 10-year-old boy recalled from 300 stores' as employee claims "it should have been nailed down"
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Topshop is reportedly set to remove till displays from more than 300 stores across the country following the death of a 10-year-old schoolboy who was crushed when one fell on top of him.
Meanwhile, one employee of the retail giant has claimed the till display barrier should not have been able to fall if it was properly secured to the floor.
Tragic Kaden Reddick suffered severe head injuries and died after the horrific accident on the first day of half-term.
It is believed Kaden may have somehow pulled the heavy display unit onto himself at a branch of the clothing giant in Reading.
Located near the tills, the display barriers usually contain smaller items such as socks, purses, hair accessories and sometimes sweets.
(Photo: INS News)
One Topshop employee told The Sun a 'company wide' order had been sent out to remove the till displays.
The staff member added: "That [one that toppled over] shouldn't be possible as they should be properly fixed to the floor."
A spokesman for Topshop refused to confirm or deny the recall and said it was "not making any further comment" beyond a statement issued on Tuesday
The statement said: "The Topshop board together with thousands of staff are deeply saddened by the horrific accident that occurred in our Reading store yesterday afternoon.
"All our thoughts are very much with the family at this difficult time.
"We are thoroughly investigating all the events surrounding this extremely sad situation."
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Thames Valley Police say detectives are continuing to investigate the accident which happened at the Oracle Shopping Centre.
Onlookers were left in tears as paramedics rushed to treat Kaden on the floor of the Topshop at around 4pm.
He was then rushed to hospital but died hours later.
The store remained closed for business on Tuesday.
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Kaden's parents, Lisa Cooper Mallett and Ian Reddick, were last night being comforted by family and friends.
Kaden's aunt Chantelle, who lives in Plymouth, confirmed her nephew's death and added: "Kaden only ever made me laugh and smile.
"He had an infectious personality and the world is now truly missing the sweetest boy it could have asked for.
"I just want people to know, on this Valentine's, to take life by the horns because literally every second is sacred.
"Kaden never knew how many people truly loved him."
Another auntie Chantellie Lace paid tribute to Kaden on Facebook.
She wrote: "My heart has been breaking from the moment I got the news and it hits home how fickle life really is.
"Never take anything for granted because it can disappear so quickly.
"From naming my cat Merlin to stealing my DS for an entire evening, Kaden only ever made me laugh and smile.
"He had an infectious personality and the world is now truely missing the sweetest boy it could have asked for."
Witness Erika Fabiane Silva told of the moment she was asked to leave the shop.
(Photo: PA)
She wrote on Facebook that she was at the store when the accident happened.
She said: “They asked for us to get out of the door and the people that were inside were all crying.”
She described it as an “accident with furniture” and said that the youngster had “hurt his head”.
A lone Police Community Support Officer and a security guard were posted on a scene watch outside the store on Tuesday although the shop was closed for business.
Roller shutters were pulled half-down over the entrance to the shop as customers were turned away from the first floor outlet at the Oracle, alongside the River Kennet.
Thames Valley Police said the boy's death is being treated as unexplained but not suspicious.
In a statement the force said the child "suffered serious head injuries after an incident involving a store display barrier".
Detective Superintendent Paul Hayles said: "We are supporting the boy's family to assist them at this very difficult time.
"We continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding this death.
"A scene watch is in place at the Topshop store and is likely to be in place for some time."
"Detectives are now working with the local authority and the store owners to gather all of the information on how this incident happened."
Officers are working with Reading Borough Council, which has responsibility for health and safety issues in retail outlets in the town.
A spokesman for the council said: "As the enforcing authority for health and safety within retail premises, we will be working closely with the police, who are, at present, leading on the investigation.
"We are contacting all parties involved in order to carry out our investigation into this tragic incident."
A spokesman for the Health and Safety Executive said that the organisation did not have the powers to investigate in shops at the Oracle.
A pathologist was due to carry out a postmortem examination before the case is passed to the corner.