Heartbroken family of a boy who died at SnowDome launch campaign to investigate his death

The grieving family of 12 year-old school boy Louis Watkss who died in a tragic incident at SnowDome in Tamworth have launched a fundraising appeal.

Louis’s loved ones hope supporters will assist their present an future needs to continue the investigation into the circumstances of his death.

In the future they are also planning to launch a campaign for new laws to ensure children are safe while undertaking snow activites - and protect others from the tragedy they have endured.

Louis from Sutton Coldfield died at the indoor snow venue on Friday, September 24 at around 6.40pm following a collision on a ski slope. He was attending a friend’s birthday party at the time.

Staffordshire Police are leading an investigation into the incident with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

The family’s appeal has been launched on a gofundme page. More than £3,495 has been raised within five days from 175 donors - the goal is to reach £10,000.

Louis was a talented saxophone player who achieved distinctions throughout his Roay Academy of Music exams. He played in two jazz ensembles at the Birmingham Symphony Hall and Birmingham Conservatoire.

His parents have told how grateful they are that his younger brother got to spend five happy years with him. They said they will hold his memory dear.

The family said: “Our son, Louis, died as a young boy. He achieved his goal of making us proud and his dream of being proud of himself. Our lives will never be the same.  We want to thank all of the emergency services and Snowdome staff who tried incredibly hard to save our son’s life.

“We have decided to set up this GoFundMe page because Louis lost his life to a tragic incident that should never have occurred. We are asking for support to assist our family’s present and future needs to continue the investigation surrounding the circumstances of his death. In the future, we want to campaign to change or lobby for new law that ensure our children are safe when taking part in snow activities.”

To support you can to to The Watkiss family Gofundme page here

We humbly ask that you can help in any way you can. Any help you can give is appreciated, whether financially or just sharing the story to bring justice for Louis and ensure that this cannot happen to another child.

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