A teenage boy has died following a tragic tractor collision on a County Durham farm in the days after Christmas.
Tributes to a 'Cheeky Chappie'
Aaron Anderson, aged 14 and from Consett, passed away on Boxing Day. He had suffered life-threatening injuries in an incident days earlier, on Saturday, 21 December. The accident involved a John Deere Gator utility vehicle overturning at a farm near Burnopfield, County Durham.
His heartbroken family have lovingly remembered him as a "cheeky chappie who was always smiling". They also spoke of his deep passion for farming and his enjoyment of fixing trucks, painting a picture of a boy devoted to rural life.
Second Teen Injured and Police Investigation
Another boy, aged 13, was also seriously hurt in the same collision. He has since been discharged from hospital and is now continuing his recovery at home.
Durham Police are conducting an ongoing investigation into the precise circumstances that led to the crash. The inquiry was marred by a separate act of vandalism at the scene, where the tyres on officers' vehicles were slashed.
A Community in Mourning
The death of Aaron Anderson has sent shockwaves through the local community. Described by his family as a "much-loved" boy, his loss is being deeply felt by all who knew him. The incident underscores the potential dangers present in agricultural settings, even for those familiar with the environment.
As the police work to establish the full facts, the family's tribute stands as a poignant reminder of a young life, filled with promise and enthusiasm, cut devastatingly short.
