Topshop death crush boy Kaden Reddick’s family in emotional tribute to youngster ‘killed by till display’ who ‘touched everyone with his love’
Kaden was thought to have been with his aunt at the Oracle Shopping Centre in Reading, Berks., when a heavy barrier crushed his head
THE family of a 10-year-old crushed to death in Topshop by a "falling till display" have made an emotional tribute to the the boy who "touched everyone with his love".
Kaden Reddick was thought to have been with his aunt when he suffered severe head injuries at the Oracle Shopping Centre in Reading, Berks., on Monday.
The youngster, described as the "sweetest boy", was taken to hospital but died two hours later.
Topshop has since recalled all display stands at tills "as a safety precaution" with "immediate effect".
Kaden's family, who were with him at the time of the incident, have today released a statement through Thames Valley Police speaking of their heartbreak after his tragic death.
They said: "Kaden was a loving, cheeky, energetic boy whose death will leave a huge empty hole in the lives of everybody that knew him. Our house feels empty without him.
"Kaden loved family holidays, with swimming being his favourite pastime.
"He was always the first one in any pool or the sea. It didn't matter how cold it was, he would jump in, trying to get everyone to join him.
"Kaden was a very creative boy, who loved school.
"He was going to be helping with making the props for the next school play, and he had set up his bedroom as a classroom to play with his siblings, labelling his room Strawberry class.
"He was also adventurous; loving to play outside on his bike, or with his friends in the woods.
"For us the saddest part of Kaden's death is that he will never be able to fulfil his potential.
"He was looking forward to driving his older brothers moped, driving a car, becoming a teacher, or visiting impossibly distant countries to him such as China.
"It is so hard to comprehend he will never do these things.
"Kaden will be forever remembered by us; with him looking down from the stars, and us looking up and smiling at all of our loving memories of him.
"He was much loved by all of his family and friends, and will be hugely missed by his siblings, and everyone else who was touched by his warmth and love."
It comes as Topshop confirmed it would be removing the till display units, which are believed to be the same as the one that crushed Kaden, from all of its 300 UK stores.
A Topshop worker told The Sun last night that orders had gone out "company wide" to remove the till units, which are used as a queuing system and usually contains items like accessories and sweets.
The employee said of one having toppled: "That shouldn't be possible as they should be properly fixed to the floor."
A spokeswoman for the high street chain today said: "Further to the recent incident in Reading, as a safety precaution we have decided to remove all the till barrier units in question from our stores across the country with immediate effect."
Tributes have since flooded in for the tragic youngster on social media after his mum Lisa Cooper Mallett changed her profile picture to one of the tragic lad.
Dad Ian Reddick, who also changed his photo to one of him and his son, said: "Love you my little man, it's hurting so much xx".
Devastated Lisa, who worked in HR for the RAF, replied: "I feel you xxx".
The schoolboy's aunt Chantelle, 26 - who he is believed to have gone shopping with - wrote: "Kaden only ever made me laugh and smile. He had an infectious personality and the world is now truly missing the sweetest boy it could have asked for.
"I just want people to know this Valentine's to take life by the horns because literally every second is sacred."
She added: "Kaden never knew how many people truly loved him."
The youngster's mum and his funeral director dad, who are separated, were comforted by relatives, while flowers have been left at the doors to the high street fashion store in Reading, which remained closed yesterday.
Kaden had been in the Topshop store when he reportedly pulled some sort of barrier down, which came crashing down on his head.
He died an hour later after being rushed to hospital.
Health and safety investigators were yesterday probing whether he pulled the structure over.
An eyewitness said customers were ushered out of the store “crying” following the tragedy in which the youngster lost his life.
related stories
Erika Fabiane Silva wrote on Facebook that he was in the shop when the accident happened.
reports that he told friends: “They asked for us to get out of the door and the people that were inside were all crying.”
A full-scale investigation into the death has now been launched as the store remained closed for business.
A security guard said that it was likely the store would be closed for several days as safety experts examined the shop and tried to work out what happened to cause the young boy's death.
Emergency crews were scrambled to the busy shopping centre shortly after 4pm on Monday and discovered the ten-year-old lying unconscious on the floor with a major head trauma.
Medics treated him in the store but he was taken to nearby Royal Berkshire Hospital, where he sadly died.
The coroner's office in the town said an inquest had not yet been opened as police were still investigating.
A date for a post-mortem examination was also yet to be set.
In a statement the force said the child "suffered serious head injuries after an incident involving a store display barrier".
Detective Superintendent Paul Hayles said: "We are supporting the boy's family to assist them at this very difficult time.
"We continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding this death.
"A scene watch is in place at the Topshop store and is likely to be in place for some time.
"Detectives are now working with the local authority and the store owners to gather all of the information on how this incident happened."
The store was closed on Tuesday as investigations inside continued.
Police staff could be seen inside the shop through the door.
Bunches of flowers were left against the shop's closed shutters and passers by paused to look at the tributes.
One card, which was unsigned, read: "RIP little man."
Reading Borough Council said: "As the enforcing authority for health and safety within retail premises, we will be working closely with the police, who are at present leading on the investigation."
A spokesman for The Oracle had earlier said: "We can confirm an incident took place within a retail unit at the centre this afternoon, resulting in the injury of a child.
"Staff supported the emergency services and the child has now been taken to hospital for further treatment."
A Topshop spokesman added: "The Topshop board together with thousands of staff are deeply saddened by the horrific accident that occurred in our Reading store yesterday afternoon.
"All our thoughts are very much with the family at this difficult time.
"We are thoroughly investigating all the events surrounding this extremely sad situation."
In 2013, Austen Harrison, four, was killed by a massive mirror falling on him as he shopped with his dad in Hugo Boss.
The tragic tot was in the Bicester Village store's changing room as he dad tried on clothes when the 19 stone mirror toppled onto him.
Hugo Boss was fined £1.2 million following the tragedy.
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at [email protected] or call 0207 782 4368