An ‘inquisitive’ boy of four died after being thrown on to a concrete patio when he tried to stop a heavy antique garden roller from moving away down a steep garden, an inquest heard.

Maldwyn Gwern Evans, described as a ‘keen little farmer’ by his heartbroken family, is believed to have been playing around the Victorian-style cast iron roller when the tragedy happened in a quiet Welsh village. 

When it started moving, the boy, known by his middle name, Gwern – the name of an ancient Welsh prince but which also roughly translates as ‘muddy’ or ‘swampy’ – is thought to have grabbed onto the handle in a bid to stop it rolling away.

Although he wasn’t crushed, Gwern was thrown violently, suffering an ‘untreatable’ head injury when he landed.

Coroner Peter Brunton said the youngster’s ‘pluckiness’ in trying to halt the roller, which weighed between eight and nine stone (50-60kg) contributed to the horrific accident.

He said: ‘Perhaps his pluckiness played a hand in this because he didn’t want to let go and tried to stop it.’

In a statement, his mother Sian Evans said her children were playing in the garden at the family’s farm, at Tynreithin, near Tregaron, Ceredigion, West Wales, when the incident happened – having returned from school for tea and ice creams.

She recalled: ‘As I was in the kitchen I heard a thud and instantly thought it had been the roller and I ran out.’

The inquest heard the roller had been moved to its location a fortnight before the tragedy, having been in the garden for two years.

Mrs Evans said: ‘I had never seen Gwern play with the roller before but he was quite inquisitive. I can imagine he thought he was rolling a field.

‘He was very strong and determined. I imagine he could have got it moving. He hadn’t seen us using it before but seen other machinery used on the farm.’

Describing the family’s heartbreak, she added: ‘The loss is unimaginable not only to myself, his father and sister, but the wider family and friends.’

Mr Brunton, concluding the inquest in Aberystwyth, called the incident on June 20 ‘a personal tragedy of immense significance to the family’.

The coroner said: ‘He died from a head injury which was untreatable and incurable at the scene.’

He added the ‘supposition’ must be Gwern was ‘trying to hold back the roller’ when it began moving. Police said the lawn became progressive steeper before meeting a patio wall.

Consultant paediatric pathologist Dr Andrew Bamber found Gwern suffered a severe head injury from being flung but the roller did not go over him.

An air ambulance helicopter was among emergency services called to the scene but the little boy could not be revived.

The inquest heard that nobody actually saw what happened.

But Mr Brunton said the ‘most probable’ explanation was that Gwern had been pushing the roller from behind using the handle to try to bring it to a halt when it flipped at a patio wall and the youngster hit the concrete.

He said: ‘Gwern had been able to push the roller from behind and was then carried forward. He likely held on to the roller to try and stop it but lost control.

‘As it rolled down a slope and hit the patio, the handle likely threw Gwern over and he hit the concrete surface.’

Recording a conclusion of accidental death, Mr Brunton called the loss of a child ‘every parent’s nightmare.’

Gwern’s parents did not wish to speak after the hearing.

In a tribute at the time of his death, the family said: ‘As a family, we are incredibly distraught by our tragic loss, and he will be greatly missed by us and the entire community.

‘He was a loving son and a caring brother, who touched the hearts of so many.

‘He lived his short life to the fullest and will be remembered for his captivating personality.

‘He was an extremely keen little farmer who had knowledge and ability beyond his years.’

The family added: ‘We would like to thank everyone for their support and kindness at this horrific time. It has meant so much to the whole family.’

Also speaking immediately after the tragedy, Joyce George, head of Pontrhydfendigaid primary school, where Gwern attended, said: ‘We are extremely saddened to hear this tragic news.’