Gary Lineker’s 18-year-old nephew was crushed to death by a falling tree trunk as he worked as a tree surgeon, an inquest has heard.
Fresh-faced Jonty Parkinson, nephew-in-law to the Match of the Day presenter from his marriage to his first wife Michelle, died of a crush injury to his abdomen after the incident in Oxfordshire.
A inquest opened last week at Oxford Coroner’s Court heard Mr Parkinson, of Coln St. Aldwyns, Cirencester, died on Friday September 6.
The short hearing on September 25, before senior coroner Darren Salter, heard the incident happened while the 18-year-old was working as a tree surgeon.
Social media in his local area has been awash with tributes while a GoFundMe has since been set up in the teenager’s memory, raising more than £30,000.
Jonty Parkinson died of a crush injury to his abdomen after being struck by a falling tree trunk
Mr Parkinson (left) was working as a tree surgeon at the time the accident happened, an inquest has heard
Two of Lineker’s four sons from his first marriage – George (middle right) and Tobias (far right) – penned moving social media messages about the death of their ‘much-loved’ cousin
Tobias Lineker, 28, posted a boyhood picture of Jonty smiling with a message, saying: ‘Taken from us far too soon, rest in peace little cousin’
Jonty was Lineker’s nephew-in-law from his marriage to his first wife Michelle Cockayne (pictured)
Created by family friend Allison Murray, the fundraiser read: ‘To friends of Bob and Ali Parkinson, I have started this fundraiser to help them create a beautiful memorial or event to celebrate the life of their much loved son Jonty, who tragically lost his life on the 6th September.
‘I realise money can’t fill the great chasm of loss they are feeling but I hope it can be used to ease the burden of funeral expenses or go towards a fitting memorial for Jonty or in anyway the family see fit.’
Mr Parkinson’s funeral is said to have taken place last Friday. A number of local businesses close to his home in Gloucestershire closed for the day to allow staff to attend the service.
Lineker himself has not made a statement on his nephew-in-law’s passing.
The Oxford Mail reports that the incident occured in Eaton Hastings. A date for the full inquest is yet to be confirmed.
Mr Parkinson appears to have been working in landscaping for some time.
A profile picture on a social media account bearing his name was uploaded last July showing him grinning as he stands on a trunk of a recently felled tree beside two of his colleagues.
The New Wave Brasserie, Bar and Fish Market in Lechlade, which said it had once employed him, said in a social media post last week: ‘With heavy hearts we want to send our warmest condolences to Bob and Ali Parkinson for the loss of their son Jonty.
‘Many of you may have met Jonty when he was working at the restaurant and know his kindness and how much he meant to us.
‘We are all devastated and sending so much love to Bob and his entire family.
‘The funeral arrangements and celebrations of his life are Friday afternoon so please understand we will be closed early tomorrow for our staff to attend.
‘Many thanks for your thoughts and kind comments. We will pass them all to Bob and his family x.’
Tributes were shared on social media by family members and local businesses ahead of his funeral, which was held last week
Mr Parkinson was the nephew of Gary, 63, from his marriage to his first wife, Michelle Cockayne, with whom he shares four children – George, Harry, Tobias and Angus.
His mother, Ali Cockayne, is Michelle’s sister, and was previously married to former England rugby captain Will Carling.
News of Jonty’s death first broke last month when two of Lineker’s four sons from the marriage penned moving social media tributes to their cousin.
George, 31, posted an Instagram story featuring a picture of himself with Jonty as a youngster with a caption, saying: ‘One of the nicest boys you’ll meet, taken far too soon. Fly high cousin, you’ll be missed by all.’
Meanwhile Tobias, 28, also posted a boyhood picture of Jonty smiling with a message, saying: ‘Taken from us far too soon, rest in peace little cousin.’
