A community in Five Rivers, Arouca remains enveloped in profound grief following a devastating accident that resulted in the death of eight-year-old Gideon Smart on December 30. The tragic incident occurred when a runaway delivery vehicle lost control on a steep incline, ultimately crashing into the family’s property where Gideon was playing.
Martin Gardner, the boy’s stepfather, recounted the harrowing moments with visible anguish during an interview at the accident site. He described hearing a thunderous impact that shook their home, followed by the desperate screams of Gideon’s 11-year-old brother who witnessed the catastrophe. The runaway van had struck two derelict vehicles parked in the driveway, propelling them with such force that they pinned Gideon against the structure.
Gardner managed to force open the front door, which had been jammed shut by the impact, to discover the older brother injured but conscious further up the driveway. Tragically, Gideon had been unable to move quickly enough while playing on an exercise bike despite his brother’s warnings to flee from the careening vehicle.
The family remembers Gideon as an exceptionally helpful and cheerful child who frequently assisted in the family’s mechanic garage. He had been eagerly anticipating the New Year, particularly looking forward to caring for piglets the family planned to acquire. The yard, typically filled with neighborhood children during the Christmas holidays, now stands as a somber memorial marked by twisted metal and broken masonry.
Local residents have gathered to offer condolences and support, with one neighbor acknowledging the particularly painful contrast between the festive season and the family’s devastating loss. The driver of the delivery van remains hospitalized after being extracted from the wreckage by emergency services. Preliminary reports indicate the vehicle began rolling while unloading construction materials uphill, with the driver attempting but failing to regain control on the treacherous slope.
Gardner expressed both sorrow and frustration, noting that the driver had reportedly seen the children in the yard before the accident. The family awaits the release of Gideon’s body for funeral arrangements while questioning whether improved safety measures could prevent similar tragedies in the future.