26 February 2024 , 14:28
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A heartbroken mum has revealed how she was expected to be reunited with her son who was temporarily in foster care before he died in a crash outside his school.
Leo Painter, six, was tragically killed alongside two women he was in the car with following the accident on the A44 between Evesham and Worcester. He was rushed to Worcestershire Royal Hospital but was pronounced dead a short time later last Thursday. Leo had just left Abigail’s Place school, which is opposite the crash site at Spetchley Park Gardens when the incident took place at around 3.07pm.
Tributes have been left at the crash site (SWNS)His devastated mum, Gemma, paid tribute to her "wonderful" son at the site of the crash in Spetchley and said she had been "excited" for Leo to live with her again. "Leo was a wonderful little boy. He always had a smile on his face and was a bundle of fun. I'm heartbroken that I won't see him again," she said.
It was hoped that Leo would be back under his mother's care by the end of this year. Fighting back tears, Gemma fondly recalled the last time they were together during the festive season. “The last time I saw Leo was before Christmas. His birthday was on Christmas Eve so I gave him his presents," she explained. "He loved PAW Patrol and I gave him a pair of pyjamas with his favourite characters on. He said he loved wearing ‘Mummy’s pyjamas’.
Leo Painter sadly passed away last week (Gemma Painter / SWNS)“Leo had been in foster care but the hope was that he would come and live me again full-time by this December. I was really excited about getting my boy back home.” Gemma discovered the tragic news when she received a phone call telling her to go to the hospital. Gemma added: “I’m so numb. I was really looking forward to him living with me again." The two men from the BMW 3 series were taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham. One suffered life-threatening injuries, while the other had potentially life-threatening injuries, reports Gloucestershire Live.
Baby boy has spent his life in hospital as doctors are 'scared' to discharge him
West Mercia Police said despite efforts from paramedics both women, aged 39 and 26, were pronounced dead at the scene. Chief Inspector Mark Davidson said: “This is an incredibly sad incident, and our thoughts are with the family and friends of the people who have sadly died. I urge anybody who witnessed the collision or may have dash-cam footage to contact the police as you may be able to help with our investigation into what happened.”