Mum recalls horror after farm accident killed son Albie, three

Leah Bridge spoke about her son Albie’s death. Albie died in an accident on their farm after being hit by a farm vehicle driven by his dad. When Leah learned what happened, her initial reaction was disbelief.

Neil Speakman was later cleared of manslaughter, as the machine he used was found to be faulty. The tragic accident occurred in Bury in July 2022, when Albie was just three years old. Leah described her pain to the Manchester Evening News, stating that it feels like the accident happened yesterday, and mentioned her younger son, Ebon.

Leah initially found it difficult to look at Ebon, fearing he would resemble Albie too much. To keep Albie’s memory alive, Ebon’s middle name is Albie. Leah still carries Albie’s jumper with her.

Leah met Albie’s dad on the day of the tragic accident. He was to have Albie that weekend, taking him along to run errands before they returned to the farm. While his dad worked, Albie played in the garden.

His dad was moving woodchips with a telehandler when he felt a thud and realized what happened. Albie was immediately rushed to the hospital. Albie’s dad admitted a health and safety breach in court, acknowledging he did not ensure Albie’s safety practically.

Though he denied gross negligence manslaughter, calling it a tragic accident. The court heard that the telehandler was defective, leading to Albie’s dad being cleared of manslaughter. A judge will sentence him for the safety breach, but Leah and her family remain heartbroken by the verdict.

She feels Albie has been let down by the events, reliving that day constantly in her mind. Leah remembers saying “bye” in the car at drop off, and soon after, she got a distressing call. Albie’s dad called, crying about Albie and telling her to come to the hospital.

When Leah asked if Albie was alive, he said Albie was dead, initially leading her to believe it was a joke. She drove to the hospital with her mum, only to find the road taped off with the police line, confirming the tragic reality. Leah worked at Albie’s nursery but could not return, unable to bear the reminders of Albie there.

The nursery held reminders such as a star on the wall dedicated to his memory and Albie’s special buddy bench that still sat in his toddler room. Leah described Albie as a funny and happy kid who loved adventure and round things. She moved to Radcliffe Cemetery to be closer to Albie’s grave.

In the weeks following his death, Leah could not bring herself to touch Albie’s things. She didn’t move his cornflake bowl for months and now keeps his belongings vacuum-packed. Leah takes Albie’s unwashed jumper everywhere with her, feeling like she has to exist, not really live.

She tries to keep herself distracted from her thoughts, working six days a week now. Leah feels guilty for not spending time with Ebon, who visits the cemetery with her often. She wonders how to explain Albie to Ebon.

Albie would be six, but he is stuck at three instead, remaining Ebon’s big brother forever. Ebon will soon be older than Albie was. Leah stays strong for Ebon, who is now a toddler, but she worries constantly when Ebon is not with her.

He is the sole reason why she keeps living onward. Leah wrote a statement to be read in court, emphasizing how life changed forever for her. Her world shattered into unbreakable pieces, and the pain is indescribable, she told the court.

Two years have passed since losing Albie, but it has not gotten easier at all, and there will always be darkness within her life. She feels guilty for still being alive. Although not religious, Leah prayed for a swap, wishing to trade places with Albie.

Albie saved her when he arrived in her life, and she feels devastated about not saving him. She dedicated her whole life to Albie and now fears forgetting him. She is even scared of losing the sound of his voice or his smell, and she has lost the feeling of his small hands.

She will never experience the world in the same manner and doesn’t see happiness in her future. She feels like she is just going through motions, waiting until she dies someday herself. Albie’s brother will never get to meet him, even though Albie would have been the best brother.

Leah promises to keep Albie’s memory alive, but the pain continues each day still. It continues to sink in that Albie is never coming back again, and she will not tuck him into bed again. Leah says Albie is her whole world and life, and she feels she is his world in return too.

Thinking of seeing Albie again keeps her going. She loves her sunshine boy endlessly.