A seaside town has been left in shock after a two-year-old boy was killed in a car park tragedy while being walked home from the beach. Sonny Macdonald was in his pushchair when he was struck by a vehicle at around 8.15pm on August 16, an inquest has heard.
The vehicle smashed through a metal barrier in Gorrell Tank car park, Whitstable, plunging around six feet down to the lower level and striking the toddler. Emergency services raced to the scene, but Sonny was pronounced dead at approximately 8.24pm. His parents, who witnessed the fatal crash, were rushed to the hospital with serious injuries.
At the opening of an inquest at Oakwood House, Maidstone, coroner Katrina Hepburn confirmed the heartbreaking details.
“His mother and father witnessed his death, which occurred at approximately 8.24pm,” she said. “They were walking back from Whitstable beach from the harbour with Sonny, who was in a pushchair.”
The coroner added that the car had turned into Cromwell Road before losing control, mounting the barrier, and crashing into the family.
Due to an ongoing police investigation, the inquest has been adjourned.
Kent Police confirmed a man in his 20s was arrested at the scene on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. He has since been released on bail while enquiries continue.
In the days following the tragedy, floral tributes, notes, and cuddly toys were laid at the car park as the Whitstable community paid their respects.
Canterbury and Whitstable MP Rosie Duffield described the incident as “horrific” and urged potential witnesses to come forward.
“I cannot begin to imagine what the family of the little boy who lost his life must be going through,” she said. “My thoughts are with them and all caught up in this awful tragedy.”
She praised the emergency services for their swift response and appealed for dashcam or CCTV footage to assist investigators.
Kent Police have asked for anyone who may have witnessed the collision, or who has relevant dashcam or CCTV footage, to come forward.
Witnesses should call 01622 798538 or email sciu.td@kent.pnn.police.uk, quoting reference BN/AL/058/25. Footage can also be uploaded via the force’s online portal.