Mum's tragic loss: Our cheeky, mischievous little boy

THE mother of a three-year-old boy who was killed after being struck by a Ballarat- bound passenger train has described her son as “our cheeky, mischievous, always affectionate little boy”.The toddler was last night identified only as Ethan — his surname was not released — after his devastated mother Michelle gave a press conference at Ballarat Police Station.Ethan died in hospital on Tuesday afternoon after suffering severe injuries to his head, chest and abdomen.A four-year-old girl who was hit by the same train was yesterday discharged from hospital.Michelle said Ethan’s family and friends were deeply saddened by the sudden and tragic loss, and asked that their privacy now be respected.In a scene laden with emotion, she told how her son’s life would not be wasted, and that because of his injuries Ethan had become eligible to donate his organs.“Hopefully (this will) prevent another family or families from suffering,” she said.She also paid tribute to those who desperately tried to save her son’s life and who will no doubt now bear emotional scars forever.“We would like to thank the many people from the emergency services that attended the tragic and horrific scene who have also been affected by this tragic event,” she said.“We would like to sincerely thank all of those involved with their efforts in looking after Ethan at the scene and on the way to the hospital, also the staff at the Royal Children’s Hospital who were amazing in such circumstances.“Our thoughts are with the V/Line staff and others that have also been tragically affected as a result of this accident.”Ethan and the four-year-old girl were playing in the back yard of a house bordering the train line near Wallace late Monday morning when it is believed they wandered on to the tracks and into the path of a V/Line train. The house, on Westcotts Road, was just metres from the train tracks and close to a level crossing. Police said it appeared the children — who are from different families — had been playing close to the side of the tracks when they were hit by the front corner of the train. Both children were flown by air ambulance to the Royal Children’s Hospital.The small township of Wallace has been devastated by the tragedy, and many residents are too upset to speak about it.