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 an emotional tribute. Little Sophia Kelemen from Leigh succumbed to her injuries following the incident on the ground floor of a car park in Tenby, Pembrokeshire, last Thursday (January 2).
She was airlifted to a hospital in Cardiff with severe brain injuries but sadly passed away the next day, January 3. Her aunt, Adriana Kelemen, sister to Sophia’s father Alex, spoke lovingly of the young girl who had just enjoyed her first Christmas. The family, including Sophia’s mother Betty and her five year old brother, were holidaying in South Wales when the tragedy occurred.
“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,” Adriana told the Manchester Evening News. “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.” Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox.
Adriana added: “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. The following day we tried to drive down to Cardiff, but by the time myself and my sister arrived she had already died.”
Baby Sophia with dad Alex
(Image: Dyfed-Powys Police)
Fundraising efforts have since been set up to support the family following her death and to cover repatriation costs for Sophia. Her father Alex, whose family is originally from Romania, wants to bring her home for burial as part of his journey towards closure. One of the last photos of the family together including Sophia was taken on their trip to Wales, the Manchester Evening News reported.
Adriana, who grew up in Romania and moved to 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.
Sophia Kelemen, aged six months, from Leigh, died following a crash in Tenby
(Image: Dyfed-Powys Police)
“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.”
Two GoFundMe links have been set up – one in English and the other in Romanian – to help raise money to pay for Sophia’s funeral and repatriation flight to bury her in Romania. You can donate here.
One of the last photos of the family together including Sophia was taken on their trip to Wales.
(Image: Dyfed-Powys Police)
A GoFundMe page, set up by Sophia’s auntie Adriana, read: “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.
“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, of Irvine Street, Leigh, 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.
Six-month-old Sophia died from her injuries
(Image: Dyfed-Powys Police)
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.”
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