A nine-year-old boy died after falling off his scooter in a concrete skatepark near a popular park in the Bradford district.
Theo Johnstone Carroll suffered a fatal head injury during the tragedy at the skatepark on the edge of Roberts Park, lower Baildon, on April 5, 2026. He died at Leeds General Infirmary six days later, on April 11.
This week, an inquest into his death concluded that he died from ventilator-associated pneumonia, caused by a severe traumatic brain injury sustained during the accident.
The coroner said the injury was "irreversible" and would "never" improve, only deteriorate.
What happened?
Theo, from Baildon, was riding over the ramps at Roberts Park skatepark, just across the river from Saltaire, at about 5.50pm on April 5 when he fell and hit his head. His father, Martin Carroll, was with him.
In his witness statement, Mr Carroll said Theo "appeared to be crying" and was "moaning, no tears".
He held Theo and tried to keep him talking, but the boy soon lost consciousness.
Mr Carroll said: "I was really scared, holding my unconscious son... put him in the recovery position."
Theo's mother, Lucy Ray, was called and came to the scene.
Paramedics rushed to the park
Paramedics reached the skatepark at 6.14pm.
A paramedic described Theo as "dazed", with "fixed and dilated pupils" and a "severe reduction in consciousness".
Theo looked "unwell and not moving, but not rigid" at the scene, said the paramedic.
On the way to Leeds General Infirmary, Theo appeared sluggish and his eyes did not respond to light.
Part of the skatepark in Robert's Park in Baildon (Image: T&A)
He was given 15 litres of oxygen and sedated to control seizure activity.
On arrival, Theo was taken for immediate assessment.
A consultant paediatrician said Theo had a "right-sided blood collection" between his skull and brain that was pushing on the brain.
After surgery, Theo was taken to paediatric intensive care, but his condition continued to deteriorate.
A further CT scan showed more bleeding in Theo’s brain. He underwent a second operation and was then given treatment to induce a coma.
'I said to him you can go now'
Despite intensive care support, his condition continued to decline.
Theo developed ventilator-associated pneumonia and died on April 11.
Theo’s mother said: "I said to him you can go now, let go now."
Theo's medical history
Theo had autism spectrum disorder, diagnosed in September 2023, as well as balance problems and speech delay, recorded in October 2024.
His GP at Baildon Medical Practice, sent their "most sincere condolences."
Theo was not taking any regular medication at the time of his death.
The inquest heard that there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding Theo’s death.
The inquest heard that Theo’s death was "due to an accident" with reference to Theo's balancing issues and uneven surfaces at the park.
Joyful child
Theo was remembered as a creative, joyful child who "loved dancing, singing and drums."
His mother said: "His imagination is something I will be forever grateful for."
The coroner told her: "You have made your son proud."