Father drove engine that crushed boy

A seven-year-old boy who died at an open-air museum was crushed to death by a steam engine driven by his father.

Karl Doran, of Darlington, died in what police are describing as a "tragic accident" on Sunday afternoon. He and his father Phillip, 41, were at a steam rally at Beamish museum in Co Durham.

Karl suffered major head injuries after he was hit by the steam traction engine and trailer, which was being driven along a road adjacent to the railway line in the museum grounds. Karl and his father, both steam enthusiasts, were frequent volunteers at Beamish.

Durham Police said: "A post-mortem examination showed that death was due to a head injury.

"We can also confirm that the steam traction engine was being driven by Karl's father, 41-year-old Phillip Doran.

"Mr Doran was taken to hospital suffering from shock immediately after the incident but has since been able to speak to police."

Detective Chief Inspector Victoria Fuller, who is leading the investigation, said: "We are treating this as a tragic accident and are working with our colleagues in the Health and Safety Executive to establish the exact circumstances."

Richard Evans, the museum's director, said: "We offer our deep condolences to Karl's family."