Horrifying new details have emerged over the death of a baby killed in a sickening car park smash.
Sophia Kelemen, six months, suffered catastrophic injuries after the pram she was in was hit by a vehicle on the ground floor of a multi-storey in Tenby, Pembrokeshire, on Thursday. The infant was airlifted to hospital in Cardiff but medics were unable to save her.
Sophia’s family, from Leigh, Greater Manchester, issued a heartbreaking tribute on Monday evening, describing her as a “smiley and bubbly” baby who had just celebrated her first Christmas. Now a GoFundMe page has been set up to support the devastated family.
Details emerged on Monday night of how father Alex watched in horror as Sophia’s pram was struck. One man has since been charged with causing death by dangerous driving in connection with the crash. A relative has said he was a friend of the family.
Six-month-old Sophia Kelemen with her father, Alex
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Aunt Adriana Kelemen described how a seemingly ordinary day “turned into our family’s worst nightmare”. The family had been staying in an AirBnB in the area and were on the final day of their trip when the crash occurred, Ms Kelemen claimed.
Adriana, whose brother Alex is Sophia’s father, told MailOnline: “From what I have been told Alex was with his daughter and five-year-old son while his wife remained back at the AirBnB. Alex and his son were not injured, but he had to watch as the pram with Sophia was crushed against a wall.
“He and his wife are distraught. They are friends with the driver who was arrested. They were all on a getaway together. It is awful.”
Adriana set up the fundraising page, writing: “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. 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, aged 33, from Wigan, has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving, driving without a license and without insurance
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Naghi will next appear at Swansea Crown Court on February 7
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WALES NEWS SERVICE)
“I hope to ease a very small part of my brother and sister in law’s hurt and suffering and raise part of the necessary funds required for the funeral costs and repatriation, as this was an event no one could have ever expected or planned for, especially right after the Christmas holidays.”
She described the family as “distraught”. The family is originally from Romania, with Alex, 27, reported to have been living in Leigh since 2016. Part of the funds raised will help the family hold a funeral in their native country, Adriana said.
“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,” she told the Manchester Evening News. “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.”
Flaviu Naghi, 33, from Wigan, who was charged with causing death by dangerous driving, driving without a license and without insurance, faced magistrates on Saturday and will next appear at Swansea Crown Court on February 7. A spokesperson for 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. Flaviu Naghi, aged 33, from Wigan, has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving, driving without a license and without insurance.
“He appeared at Swansea magistrates’ court on Saturday, January 4, where he was further remanded to appear before Swansea crown court on February 7. He was also arrested on suspicion of drink driving and drug driving and has been released on bail for these offences. This is a tragic incident and is a live investigation. We ask that you do not speculate the circumstances.”