More than three years after the three-year-old was hit and fatally injured by a van as he went to play in the Millennium Town Park while on holiday in the Island, St Helier Constable Simon Crowcroft said plans had been drawn up for a memorial.
However, he said he was waiting to speak to parents Michael and Stacey to see if they were
happy with the design and to discuss the wording of a dedication that would form part of the memorial.
Earlier this year, Andium Homes were given the green light by the Planning Committee to build 122 new homes on the Gas Place site. The plans also include an extension to the Millennium Town Park.
Speaking to the JEP, Mr Pringle, a journalist, said he was ‘delighted at the prospect’ of a memorial to his son and was ‘grateful to everyone in the Island who helps keep Clinton’s memory alive’.
Mr and Mrs Pringle have since had a second son – Leyton (2).
Mr Pringle said: ‘The fact that some sort of play area is to be identified would be really appropriate given the energy for life that Clinton had. We still struggle every day with his loss and that will probably never change.
‘Leyton had his second birthday this year and looks quite like his big brother and has some similar personality characteristics. He has the same blond hair and blue-coloured eyes and is just as strong and lean, and energetic.That brings joy but also sadness in almost equal measures at times. We often wonder how they would interact and play together.’
Clinton was on holiday with his mother when he was hit by a VW Transporter as he crossed Tunnell Street into the park. The driver of the van was later cleared of causing death by dangerous driving but was handed an eight-month jail term – suspended for two years – after admitting death by careless driving.
Several safety measures were introduced on Tunnell Street in the wake of the incident.
Mr Crowcroft said meetings had been held with Andium and landscapers about designs for the area, which he said included ‘open space and water features’.
‘What we want to do now is speak with Clinton’s family to see if they are happy with the design and to see how they might like it to be named,’ he added.
A plaque dedicated to Clinton, surrounded by numerous cuddly toys and notes, is already in place on Tunnell Street.
