A full inquest is still to be heard into the death of the seven-year-old, who was taken ill from his flooded Chertsey home in February 2014
| | "Beautiful, funny and kind" Zane Gbangbola was remembered at an emotional memorial service on Monday night to mark two years since his death. Crowds gathered outside the family home in Thameside for the candlelit memorial, where Zane’s father Kye spoke of his son’s kind and caring "old fashioned quality". Zane was seven-years-old when he died after being taken ill from his flooded Chertsey home on February 8 2014. |
Campaigners believe his death was down to leaking hydrogen cyanide from neighbouring land, which was previously a landfill site.
Mr Gbangbola, who has himself been left wheelchair-bound since the incident, said: “On this day we remember and honour our Zane, our beautiful, funny, kind, intelligent ‘light up people’s lives’ and loving boy Zane.
“He had this great old fashioned quality of being really nice to chat to and speak with. Today we reach out to the other side of pain and injustice and reach behind a time when Zane closed his eyes.
"We talk about the things that he did and the people he touched in his remarkable seven years.”
He recalled his son’s love of cars and that he was a Brooklands scooter champion, an event that was later named after young Zane.
The St George’s Junior School pupil loved his BMX, he added, describing him as a "little stunt master" and constantly waving to people as he rode around.
“Zane was just a super special kid,” he added. “Everyone said so. He had a lovely smile and a beautiful voice. Once seen and heard, never forgotten.”
During the memorial a minute's silence was held and musicians Tom Prothero and Johnny Matts performed, including Heal the World, Zane’s favourite song.His mother Nicole said her son was a “remarkable” boy who had an “indomitable spirit and was full of life”.
“Zane’s small little feet walked this earth for only seven years but his footprints will last a lifetime,” she said.
“Today marks two years since Zane was killed. Since he was so cruelly ripped from our lives and since that day the investigation has been full of mistakes, lies and shrouded in secrecy.
“25,000 parts per million of hydrogen cyanide was recorded along with lower readings of hydrogen cyanide that fateful night and yet Zane still does not have a death certificate.
"Our heart and soul may have been torn from us but our strength is steadfast and we will not be silenced.
“Kye and I are totally lost without Zane. Time has not moved on for us, these days are filled with tears and deep sorrow but we still will do everything in our power to make sure Zane is not forgotten and this community is protected so this never happens again."
Zane’s inquest, originally due to be held last month, was delayed until June to allow the coroner to further investigate new figures that suggested high levels of hydrogen cyanide.
During a hearing last year it was revealed that a reading of 25,000 parts per million of the poisonous gas was recorded by fire services in a bedroom in the Gbangbolas' home.
Mr Gbangbola added: "I urge you to keep pushing for Zane through whatever avenue you can think of. We still need your help. I love Zane so much. Whenever I would walk along I would feel 10 foot tall when I had Zane by my side.
“We will always remember Zane and we will always miss Zane,” he added.
Despite the high winds, a fireworks display marked the end of the memorial.
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