The family of a 10-year-old boy who was killed in a “horrific accident” at a Topshop store in Reading has paid tribute to a “loving, cheeky, energetic boy”.
Kaden Reddick suffered serious head injuries when a store display barrier fell on him at the Topshop store in the Oracle shopping centre on Monday afternoon, police said.
He was taken to the Royal Berkshire hospital, but doctors were unable to save his life and pronounced him dead.
Reddick’s family on Wednesday said his death would “leave a huge empty hole” in their lives. In a statement released through Thames Valley police, they described him as an “adventurous” and “creative boy” who wanted to become a teacher.
“Kaden was a loving, cheeky, energetic boy whose death will leave a huge empty hole in the lives of everybody who knew him. Our house feels empty without him,” they said. “Kaden loved family holidays, with swimming being his favourite pastime.
“He was always the first one in any pool or the sea. It didn’t matter how cold it was, he would jump in, trying to get everyone to join him. Kaden was a very creative boy, who loved school.”
Police continue to investigate the death, which is being treated as unexplained but not suspicious. The store where the incident took place was closed on Tuesday as investigations inside continued, and flowers were left against the shop’s shutters.
His family said Kaden was going to help make the props for the next school play, and had set up his bedroom as a classroom to play with his siblings. “He was also adventurous; loving to play outside on his bike, or with his friends in the woods.
“For us, the saddest part of Kaden’s death is that he will never be able to fulfil his potential. He was looking forward to driving his older brother’s moped, driving a car, becoming a teacher, or visiting impossibly distant countries to him such as China. It is so hard to comprehend he will never do these things.”
The family added the boy would be “forever remembered”. “He was much loved by all of his family and friends, and will be hugely missed by his siblings, and everyone else who was touched by his warmth and love,” they said.
An inquest is yet to open and no date for a postmortem examination has been set. Det Supt Paul Hayles said: “Detectives are now working with the local authority and the store owners to gather all of the information on how this incident happened.”
Topshop, which is part of the Arcadia group controlled by the retail tycoon Sir Philip Green, said in a statement: “The Topshop board, together with thousands of staff, are deeply saddened by the horrific accident that occurred in our Reading store [Monday] afternoon.
“All our thoughts are very much with the family at this difficult time. We are thoroughly investigating all the events surrounding this extremely sad situation.”
