POLICE are investigating the death of an 18-month-old boy in an accident involving a car outside his home.

Police were called to an address in Kibblesworth, Gateshead, at about 4pm yesterday after they received reports that the toddler had been involved in a collision with a car.

The boy was airlifted by a police helicopter to  the Hospital, where he later died.

Screams

Neighbour Brian Coulson said he believed the boys father had been driving his Land Rover Freelander when the accident happened.

He said: I was in my house and I just heard screams from outside. It was quite a shock but I didnt realise what they were.

"I went outside and the Freelander was just jacked up on one side. I never even saw the little kiddie.

The police came to my door and I asked if it was the kiddie that was involved and they just said yes and I said how was the kiddie and he just shook his head.

"I didnt know how to take that at the time but now I know he died.

He was a nice little lad, a bonny little lad.

Mr Coulson continued: As far as I know it was the little boys father who was driving the car. I think he was reversing off his drive.

He added that the boys parents had lived in the house for five years and had another older child.

Another neighbour described the boy, who was named in reports as Jake, as a gorgeous little boy.

It was a really awful scene to be greeted by, Jake had gone under the wheels and they couldnt get him out, the neighbour told a local newspaper.

The whole street is feeling the shock of this, its a cruel thing to happen to good people.

A Northumbria Police spokesman confirmed officers had attended a collision between an 18-month-old boy and a car.

He said: The boy was airlifted to Newcastle General Hospital by the force helicopter, where he subsequently died.