Family's Tribute To 5-Year-Old Girl
The family of a five-year-old girl who died following a collision in Weymouth has paid tribute to her:
“On Friday 9 March 2012 we left our three darling daughters; Kaycee-Ann Jeffries, 10, Annabella Jeffries, 6, and Lily-Mae Jeffries, 5, in the very loving, caring and capable hands of their grandparents whilst we attended a birthday celebration over the weekend.
“On Sunday 11 March 2012 the girls and their grandmother walked down through Goldcroft Avenue to the tarmacked pathway at the northern end of the street, they passed through the kissing gate and began to cross the road onto the track leading to Radipole Lake. This was so they could go and feed the Swans and ducks, a regular event when staying down with ‘Nan and Pops’.
“From what we now know, there is no other reason than to believe this was anything but a tragic accident and our thoughts are also with the motorcyclists who were involved as they are no doubt feeling immense grief due to the nature of what happened. The emergency services were on the scene within minutes and did their best for everyone.
“Lily-Mae and her grandmother were flown directly to Southampton Hospital via air-ambulance where the intensive care treatment and support they were given was second to none.
“Lily-Mae fell peacefully asleep a little before 6am on Monday 12 March 2012 in her Mummy’s and Daddy’s arms.
“Lily-Mae’s grandmother remains in Hospital and is receiving continued treatment related to her injuries.
“Our heartfelt thanks go out to all those involved in the treatment and support given to our children and their grandmother, we would especially like to thank any passers-by who assisted during the accident, the air-ambulance crews for their swift response, all other emergency service members who attended the scene and Dr Kim Sykes and her wonderful team at the PICU in Southampton who made Lily-Mae’s last few hours of life as peaceful and comfortable as they could be.
“We would also like to extend our deepest thanks to all the staff and personnel at Dorchester Hospital who cared for Kaycee-Ann and Annabella who are now home and safe and reunited with their brother; Anthony Jeffries, 8.
“Lily-Mae’s passing has left an unfillable void in all of our lives; she was the apple of our eye and made us smile 100 times a day with her appetite for life and her infectious zest and spirit. She made an impression on everybody she met and had nothing but love, smiles, hugs and kisses to give to all she knew and loved..
“We ask as a family for time and space to grieve during this difficult period.
“Sleep tight beautiful princess.”
Written by John and Charlene Jeffries.
An inquest was opened and adjourned for identification on Wednesday 14th March 2012, at the coroner’s court in Dorchester. Evidence was heard that five-year-old Lily Mae Jeffries from Taunton died at Southampton Hospital on 12th March 2012.