Boy crushed to death by steam engine driven by his father

Karl Doran, from Darlington, died on Sunday afternoon in what police are describing as a “tragic accident”.

He and his father Phillip, 41, were at a steam rally at Beamish museum in County Durham.

Karl suffered major head injuries after he was hit by the steam traction engine and trailer, which was being driven along a road adjacent to the railway line in the museum.

Durham Police said: “A post-mortem examination carried out on Sunday night showed that death was due to a head injury.

“We can also confirm that the steam traction engine was being driven by Karl’s father, 41-year-old Phillip Doran.

“Mr Doran was taken to hospital suffering from shock immediately after the incident but has since been able to speak to police.”

Det Chief Insp Victoria Fuller, who is leading the joint investigation, said yesterday: “We are treating this as a tragic incident and are working with our colleagues in the Health and Safety Executive to establish the exact circumstances.

“We have already spoken to a number of witnesses but need to speak to some key people who may have been on a bus or tram which passed the traction engine around the time of the incident, which occurred at around 3pm.”

Karl and his father, both steam enthusiasts, were frequent volunteers at Beamish.

Richard Evans, the museum’s director, said yesterday: “We continue to support the joint investigation and offer our deep condolences to Karl’s family.”