HEARTBROKEN parents whose 12-year-old son died in a crash at an indoor ski centre have revealed how their lives have been “destroyed”.
Louis Watkiss tragically died after colliding with a member of staff while tobogganing at the SnowDome in Tamworth, , on September 24, 2021.
Louis Watkiss was a talented musician
The SnowDome admitted responsibility for Louis’ death
His parents say they “haven’t had chance to grieve” because of the drawn out legal process concerning their sons death.
They slammed the judicial proceedings following the incident, claiming they have endured four years of “delays and mistakes”, as reported by BirminghamLive .
Natalie and Chris Watkiss said the process has “ripped them apart” after hearing on Friday that there would be no formal inquest into their son’s death.
His mum said: “We are still in shock and we haven’t had chance to grieve because the whole system has taken that away from us.”
The schoolboy had been enjoying a friend’s birthday party when the heart-breaking scene took place.
As Louis slid down the slope, Joseph Dibb, the SnowDome’s manager on the night, walked out to take care of a lump of ice.
Not wearing a high-vis jacket and facing away from the slope, Mr Dibb walked into oncoming Louis’ path, colliding with the youngster and falling on top of him.
Tragically, Louis suffered a .
His parents Chris and Natalie Watkiss had been at home in Sutton Coalfield, , when they got a call to say their son had been hurt.
His dad told the BBC it was “a very nerve-wracking walk” with paramedics up the slope to where Louis was.
“There was a lot of blood and within a few minutes in front of me,” he said.
“I laid with him for a bit, told him he was a good boy and how much I loved him.”
He said they “just wanted to be as close as we could to him for as long as we could, because his last moments were just there”.
The couple have been pushing for justice for Louis ever since his final moments.
A criminal investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) was concluded earlier this year, resulting in the for the death and being issued a fine of £100,000, and a further £16,000 costs.
This investigation revealed that there had been four collisions and near collisions at the SnowDome in 13 days leading up to Louis’ crash, which had all been captured on CCTV.
With clear proof there was a risk of collision which had not been mitigated against, the HSE concluded that Louis’ death had been “preventable.”
Louis’ parents condemned the fine, labelling it “ridiculous” and nothing more than a “slap on the wrists.”
The bereaved couple had also been hoping for a formal inquest to take place in open court, to ensure that lessons from the tragedy were learned.
They heard on Friday that this inquest would not be taking place.
Coroner Fiona Gingell said: “There was no part of the statutory investigation that needs to be carried out.”
She said that a “clear and factual picture” of Louis’ death has already been confirmed by the criminal investigation.
The SnowDome directors said they are “forever remorseful” that Louis did not return home safely on that evening in September 2021.
“We know we can never change what has happened, and this heart-breaking knowledge is why we have always accepted full responsibility for this terrible tragedy.”
However, Louis’ parents have criticised the process, claiming it could have “been two years, not four and a bit”
Chris Watkiss said: “In our experience, I think it’s a bit of a farce that we are standing here over four years later.
“A death of a 12-year-old child, completely avoidable.
“The nature of it – the way it has been handled from the police, the massive delays they implemented.”
Louis suffered a fatal head injury following the toboggan crash
An inquest into Louis’ death will not take placeCredit: Staffs Police 
