Gary Lineker’s nephew, 18, dies after being ‘crushed by falling tree,’ inquest hears
Gary Lineker’s 18-year-old nephew died after being crushed by a falling tree, an inquest has heard.
Jonty Parkinson died on September 6 while working as a tree surgeon when a trunk fell on top of him.
Oxford Coroner’s Court heard The Match of the Day host’s nephew was killed in Eaton Hastings, Oxon, last month.
The Mirror reports the teenager was left with an injury to his abdomen in the accident.
The former footballer’s son George Lineker, 31, paid tribute to his cousin with a social media tribute in which he called Parkinson “one of the nicest boys you’ll ever meet”.
Sharing a photo of himself with his cousin when they were younger, he captioned the post: “One of the nicest boys you’ll meet, taken far too soon. Fly high cousin, you’ll be missed by all.”
Lineker’s younger son Toboas, 28, also shared an old photo of the smiling teenager, writing: “Taken from us far too soon, rest in peace little cousin.”
A GoFundMe page has been set up in Parkinson’s memory to support the family in creating “a beautiful memorial or event to celebrate the life of their much-loved son Jonty”.
Parkinson was 63-year-old Lineker’s nephew from his marriage to first wife Michelle Cockayne, with whom he has four children.
So far, the fundraiser has raised £32,000. Lineker himself hasn’t publicly commented on his nephew’s death.
An inquest opened last week at Oxford Coroner’s Court, with The Oxford Mail reporting that a date for the full inquest is yet to be confirmed.
The New Wave Brasserie, Bar and Fish Market in Lechlade, which said it had once employed the young man, said in a social media post last week: ‘With heavy hearts we want to send our warmest condolences to Bob and Ali Parkinson for the loss of their son Jonty,” The MailOnline reports.
The statement continued: “Many of you may have met Jonty when he was working at the restaurant and know his kindness and how much he meant to us.
“We are all devastated and sending so much love to Bob and his entire family.
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“The funeral arrangements and celebrations of his life are Friday afternoon so please understand we will be closed early tomorrow for our staff to attend.
“Many thanks for your thoughts and kind comments. We will pass them all to Bob and his family x.” (sic)
The teenager’s funeral is believed to have taken place last week.
