THE family of a four-year-old boy who died after being hit by a car outside a leisure centre paid tribute to their ‘precious’ son.

Barnaby Cork was knocked down in the Thame Leisure Centre car park in Oxford Road shortly after 10am on Saturday.

Despite an ambulance being called to his aid, he sadly died on the way to hospital.

Today, the youngster’s family said there were ‘no words’ that could bring them to describe their sadness, adding the four-year-old boy was their ‘world’.

A statement released on behalf of the family said: “We’ are truly devastated at the loss of our precious Barnaby.

“We are absolutely heartbroken that he’s gone to heaven before he was ready.

“There’s no words that can even begin to describe the sadness we’re experiencing now that Barnaby isn’t with us. He was our world.

“We are so very very lucky to have such close and strong family as well as such great friends and neighbours and your support means everything to us.

“We know that the people of Thame have us in their thoughts and prayers and this gives us strength when we need it the most.”

The family thanked the community of Thame for their support at this time.

Today, St Mary's Church, in Church Road, Thame, is open between 3pm and 5pm for people to pay their respects.

Vicar Alan Garratt said members of the public could light a candle at the church. 

The church will also be open tomorrow between 5pm and 6pm, as well as between 6pm and 7pm on Thursday.

Officers taped off part of the car park and confirmed yesterday that the driver of the car had stopped at the scene but that no arrests had been made.

Thame town mayor Linda Emery told the Oxford Mail it was ‘unimaginable’ to think what his family must be going through.

She added: “It is just terrible. It’s unbearable.

“Our sincere heartfelt thoughts are with the parents and the family at this time. It is such a tragic loss.”

Last night Thame town councillor Catherine Jones said: "It is absolutely, desperately tragic.

"I do not know anything about the circumstances but I feel for the parents of this little boy.

"It is such a ghastly tragedy to happen to a family just before Christmas.

"As a community all we can do is give them our support during this very difficult time for them."

Oxford Mail:

Police tape at the scene 

Oxford Mail reader Jane Margetts said it was an awful incidents and her thoughts were with his family at this 'horrendously sad' time.

Robyn Harnois added: "This is absolutely tragic, my condolences go out to his family."

David Gallagher, spokesman for South Central Ambulance Service, said the boy died after he sustained a serious head injury.

A resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said he had seen flashing lights and police arriving at the leisure centre.

He said: "We did not know what was going on.

"All we saw were these flashing lights and then we heard the helicopter so we knew it was something awful.

"The leisure centre is normally very busy at that time of the morning but I still do not know how it could have happened.

"It is just horrific and we are thinking about his family."

A father, who was leaving the leisure centre, which is run by leisure firm Better, part of Greenwich Leisure Ltd, with his two young children, said the incident was 'unimaginable as a parent.'

Oxford Mail:

Police at the scene. Picture: Thame Hub 

The man, who wanted to remain anonymous, said: "It is so awful.

"I did not know it happened this morning but I really feel for his parents and family."

Senior investigating officer Sergeant Jack Hawkins of the Roads Policing team said: “We are investigating the fatal collision and appealing for witnesses.

"Please can anyone with information which could assist enquiries contact police."

He said the family were being supported by specially trained officers.

"The family of the deceased are being supported by specially trained family liaison officers at this very difficult time."

Anyone with information about the incident should contact the 24-hour Thames Valley Police enquiry centre on 101.

Owners of the centre Greenwich Leisure Limited said they would not comment at this stage of the police investigation.