Lankan family’s anguish at TV set tragedy

Heartbroken parents from Sri Lanka have told how their beloved baby boy was killed by a TV set in a freak accident at their home.

Little Ghazi Riyaz Mohammed was playing when he pulled open a drawer on a unit supporting the television. The heavy old-style 15ins TV toppled off and onto the 13-month-old toddler - trapping him underneath.

His father Fowzer Riyaz Mohammed described how he had gone shopping while his wife, Shara, stayed at home with Ghazi and his four-year-old brother at their home at Heol Frank, Penlan.

She had briefly gone into another room when she heard a crash and ran back into the living room.

Mohammed, 36, said: “Shara found Ghazi trapped under the TV and called an ambulance. She said it happened so quickly - in the space of a second.”

Paramedics were called to the family home at 3.15pm last Thursday. They spent 10 minutes in the house before taking the unconscious baby to Morriston Hospital. Ghazi had suffered a fracture to the skull with internal bleeding and, despite undergoing brain surgery, he died six hours later.

We are all very sad and shocked right now. We are asking everyone to pray for Ghazi. Friends and family have been helping us out in any way they can. We would like to thank everyone for their support at such a difficult time.”

Originally from Sri Lanka, the family moved to Swansea last August and are seeking asylum in the UK. Ghazi had an older brother and sister who attend Arfryn Primary School, where parents, staff and pupils are said to be devastated. “We have lived here for over a year and this is where we want to stay,” said Mohammed. “Ghazi is still with us in this house - I can still see him crawling across the floor. He was such a special, beautiful boy, who was always blinking and giggling.

Meanwhile relatives of Ghazi’s family have been posting tributes on the Evening Post website from Sri Lanka.

One, Loufiza Rahman, from Matale, said: “We have heard our sweet little darling Ghazi laugh and giggle over the phone, and seen him only in snaps and video clips. He is no more with us; may he rest in peace.”

Penderry councillor Hazel Morris said she had visited the family to offer her condolences. She said: “This is the saddest story I’ve heard for a very long time. It was heartbreaking to see the family’s grief. It was all I could do not to burst into tears myself. I’ve got children and grandchildren myself, and 13 months is such a lovely age - your heart goes out to them.”

South Wales police are looking into the tragedy but have said there were no suspicious circumstances.

A force spokesman said: “Officers are aware of the tragic incident and at present we are investigating the circumstances around it. The death is not being treated as suspicious.”

A post mortem examination is due to be held and an inquest will be opened this week.