The 14-year-old has been described as ‘loving and clever’
A teenage boy died after being injured in an accident while building a treehouse with a friend over the Christmas period.
Fourteen‑year‑old Aaron Anderson was taken to hospital following the incident on December 22 at a farm in County Durham. He died four days later, on Boxing Day.
His devastated family are now preparing to lay him to rest and honour his memory. Aaron’s father, Craig Anderson, said the family have been living through a “nightmare” since the loss of their son.
“It’s been horrendous. It’s your worst nightmare. No family should have to go through it,” Mr Anderson told the Chronicle, as he paid tribute to his son for the first time publicly.
Aaron lived with his parents Craig and Donna, in Consett, County Durham, and was a loving little brother to 26-year-old Lewis.
Craig recounted how, on December 21, Aaron went to play with a friend at the farm, near Burnopfield. Police say Aaron was seriously injured when a John Deere Gator farm vehicle overturned. He was taken to the Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI) in Newcastle.
The dad had been attending a funeral in Blackpool when the incident happened, and mum Donna discovered Aaron had been injured when she went to collect him.
“He was just there with his friend playing. They were building a treehouse then the accident happened,” said Craig.
“My wife went to collect him. She didn’t know anything about the accident until she arrived on site and saw the police.”
As Aaron was treated in hospital, his family hoped that he might recover. However, tragically, nothing could be done to save his life and he passed away four days later.
“We had a little bit of hope for a couple of days, then they realised,” Craig continued.
“The staff at the RVI were incredible, and the police and all the emergency services were incredible. We are also so proud of Aaron’s friends who were with him and they are in our thoughts.”
Aaron dreamed of becoming a mechanic and loved trucks, his dad said, adding that the popular teen made friends wherever he went.
“He was a loving 14-year-old boy. He had his whole life ahead of him. He was well-loved and respected by everyone he met. He had a lot of friends at school, a lot of friends at my work and a lot of friends in the trucking community.
“He was really well known; he attended all the truck shows. He was just a loving child. He was going to be a mechanic. He had done it for years with me, he had always been interested.
“He enjoyed school and had a lot of friends. He was very clever and academic, but his passion was working with his hands.”
Aaron and his family were regulars at The Truck Show at Barnard Castle. The event’s organiser, Stephen Hall, is now appealing to drivers to join a convoy of vehicles that will accompany Aaron to the crematorium when he is laid to rest next week.
And Craig said the family want the funeral to be a true celebration of the Newcastle United fan’s life.
“We are all focused on the funeral. It’s not a funeral for us, it’s a celebration of his life. Aaron wouldn’t want a morbid funeral.
“It’s going to be bright colours and football strips. We want everything he was into. We are all wearing Newcastle strips with ‘Forever 14’ on them. He loved Newcastle United.
“It’s been absolutely amazing. It’s brought everyone together. We can’t thank the trucking community enough. Having the trucks turn out for him is something he would have loved.”
A GoFundMe fundraising page has also been set up to help cover the costs of Aaron’s funeral, with more than £8,000 donated as of publication. Any additional money raised will be donated to charities and the RVI.
Craig said the family were determined to continue raising money. And he told the Chronicle that Aaron had already helped others by donating his organs.
He added: “We want to make a difference in Aaron’s name going forward. We have raised a lot of money for charity.”
Aaron’s family would like to thank everyone who has supported them during the worst time of their lives, including the hospital and emergency services. They have also thanked Stephen and Lisa Handy, who have also helped arrange the convoy.
“They were absolutely fantastic. They made a massive difference,” Craig explained.
Aaron’s funeral will be held at Mounsett Crematorium, in Dipton, near Stanley, at 12.30pm on Friday January 16. Truckers have been asked to meet at Hownsgill Industrial Estate in Consett at 10.30am so they can follow the funeral cars in their vehicles.
Drivers are also asked to put brightly coloured ribbons and bows on their trucks if they can.
Aaron’s death is being investigated by Durham Constabulary. The Health and Safety Executive today confirmed that it had liaised with the force but was not currently probing the incident.
