The family of a “smiley and bubbly” baby girl who tragically died after her pram was hit by a car in a multi-storey car park have shared a heartfelt tribute. The incident occurred on the ground floor of the car park in Tenby, Pembrokeshire, last Thursday (January 2) and Sophia Kelemen died from severe brain injuries the following day after being airlifted to a Cardiff hospital.
Her auntie Adriana Kelemen has spoken to the Manchester Evening News, recounting the harrowing circumstances: “They were on a getaway in Wales with family friends. It was their last day and they had been out and then went to the supermarket,” she said. “It happened in the car park. The pram that she [Sophia] was in was left in the worst condition. She was airlifted to hospital due to the severity of her injuries and needed treatment as soon as possible.”
She continued: “They were told she had suffered a bleed on her brain and she was shortly after diagnosed with brain damage. Overnight she had to have surgery.”
Sophie with her mum, dad and older brother
(Image: Dyfed-Powys Police)
Adriana added: “The following day we tried to drive down to Cardiff, but by the time myself and my sister arrived she had already died.” Adriana, who hails from Romania and settled in the UK in 2015, said: “We had just been together at Christmas. Sophia hardly ever cried. She was so smiley and bubbly. We used to say she was so advanced for her age.”
“She really wanted to walk, and was really excited, playful and energetic. She was the cutest and most adorable girl, who had just started babbling. It’s horrible we didn’t get the chance to see her grow up or make memories with her.”
“We are all originally from Romania. Sophia was born here and lived in Leigh, but for closure my brother has decided to bury her there because of our roots. They haven’t asked anyone for help. Nothing will bring her back, but I have decided to do this to try and help. They’re trying to grieve and mourn the loss of their child while taking care of her brother, who has seen everything. This isn’t something anyone can prepare for or foresee.”
Baby girl Sophia
(Image: Dyfed-Powys Police)
In response, fundraising efforts have been launched to support Sophia’s family and to help with repatriation costs, reports the Manchester Evening News. To support the family, two GoFundMe pages—one in English and one in Romanian—have been established to assist with the costs of Sophia’s funeral and her repatriation flight for burial in Romania. Donations can be made here.
Adriana wrote on the fundraiser: “Never in a million years would I have thought I would have to write a post like this. My name is Adriana, the auntie of my beloved niece Sophia.
“A seemingly ordinary day turned into our family’s worst nightmare. The baby was airlifted to the hospital with a broken pelvis and a brain bleed and was ultimately diagnosed with brain damage due to the impact.” Join our WhatsApp news community here for the latest breaking news. You will receive updates from us daily.
“Despite the efforts of the doctors, Sophia could not cope with the impact, the surgery, anaesthesia, the brain bleed and all the injuries were too much for her fragile heart, which eventually gave out.”
Flaviu Naghi, 33, from Irvine Street, Leigh, has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving along with offences related to driving without proper licensing or insurance. After appearing before magistrates on Saturday, he is due to appear at Swansea Crown Court on February 7.
Dyfed-Powys Police said: “Sadly, we can confirm that a six-month-old baby girl has died following a collision on the ground floor of the multi-storey car park in Tenby on January 2.
“Sophia Kelemen, from the Leigh, Manchester area, was taken to hospital but died of her injuries on January 3. Our thoughts remain with her family at this difficult time. They are being supported by specially trained officers.”