Tributes to boy, 9, killed by falling tree as he went pheasant shooting with his family during Storm Malik
HEARTBREAKING tributes have been paid to a schoolboy killed by a falling tree as he went on a pheasant shoot during Storm Malik.
Jacob Gallon, nine, was with his family when he was crushed at the 400-acre Heath House estate in Tean, Staffordshire.
The youngster, a pupil at Gladstone Primary Academy, was pronounced dead later that afternoon.
A 72-year-old man was also critically injured during the tragedy.
Friends have launched with the blessing of Jacob's parents.
In a tribute after the lad's funeral last Thursday, his loved ones said: “Today we said goodbye to a lovely young man and we had the honour to care for him and his family.
“Rest in eternal peace Jacob.
"You will be deeply and sadly missed, but fondly remembered by all your loving family, friends, teachers and all from the shooting community.”
TRAGEDY ON SHOOT
Posting an image of her son, mum Emma Baskeyfield said: “I love you my boy."
Floral tributes designed to look like a boxing glove, a pizza, an Xbox controller and a shotgun were carried into the service.
Sarah Thrusfield, who set up the fundraiser, told : "Jacob tragically lost his life after being hit by a fallen tree on January 29.
"He was out on a pheasant shoot with some family and friends doing what he loved and did almost every weekend.
"His passing came as a massive shock to not only his loved ones but hundreds of family, friends, teachers and people who didn’t even know him.
"RIP beautiful boy, you'll be sadly missed."
'I LOVE YOU MY BOY'
The owner of Ten Count Boxing Club in Bentilee said Jacob "had a lot of talent for his age".
"He was a good lad - a big, strong nine-year-old," Max Maxwell told the publication.
"I was keeping an eye on him. It looked like he had a lot of talent for his age.
"He was very polite. When he sparred with the younger boxers who were smaller than him, he was very patient and very gentle with them.
"He was a very nice lad.
"When we found out what had happened it was very sad. It seems surreal, we couldn't really believe it.
FAMILY'S DEVASTATION
"Everyone at the club is devastated."
An inquest into Jacob's death was opened and adjourned this morning. The court heard the youngster died when a tree fell on him.
No family members were present for the two-minute hearing at Stoke-on-Trent Coroner's Court. A full inquest will take place on March 25.
Following the horror accident, witnesses told of their distress.
One said: "It was dreadful weather and I'm surprised the shoot went ahead.
"It's very sad that a young boy lost his life and a pensioner was seriously injured. It was a freak accident.
"It happened at the shoot. There were lots of people there and I heard they all tried to help save the poor boy and man.
“The tree had crashed down on top of them and they tried to lift it off. Then two air ambulances arrived and took them to hospital.”
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The owner of the vast estate, which is near Alton Towers theme park on the outskirts of Uttoxeter, declined to make any comment.
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in Deveron Road, Aberdeen during the storm.
Elsewhere, more than 36,000 households were left without power in Northumberland and County Durham.
