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Mother accidentally drives over toddler, killing him

Bloemfontein - A 3-year-old Free State boy died tragically after his mother accidentally drove over him on Monday.

Pastor Marietjie Ras of the Full Gospel Church in Koppies told Netwerk24 that Bernadette Small drove over AJ at the workshop of the farm Rooipoort.

Small was unaware that she had run over him, and only went back when someone phoned her.

AJ's father, Pieter, tried CPR, but he later told Ras that AJ was probably already dead then.

They rushed AJ to Kroonstad Hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival.

Ras said AJ was a lively child and had been playing among chickens in the farmyard just before the accident.

In a Facebook post after the tragedy Bernadette said: "AJ, mamma is so terribly sorry. I promise, I didn't see you. You don't have to forgive me."

She added that she deserved whatever punishment came my way.

"I miss you terribly. I can't say how sorry I am. Love you with everything I have."

Ria Small, Pieter's mother, said the family was too distraught to comment.

Police spokesperson Warrant Officer Loraine Early confirmed the incident and added that they were investigating.

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