Funeral of wall death tot

Aug 27 2008 by David Rutland, Rhyl Visitor

HUNDREDS of mourners dressed in pink and turned out to pay their last respects to a toddler killed by a collapsing wall near her Meliden home.

A white horse and carriage carried three year old Megan Burgess’ tiny coffin to the Church of the Latter Day Saints in Rhyl, three weeks after a six-foot wall caved in on top of her.

Tearful friends and relatives followed behind before the emotional funeral service.

The private, hour-long service took place in the church where her grandfather Ray Burgess is the bishop.

The family then went to the Coed Bell crematorium in Gronant.

After her death the family had agreed to donate Meg’s eyes and heart in the hope of helping another child.

The tragedy happened just metres from the little girl’s house in Ffordd Penrhwylfa, Prestatyn, on July 26. Mum Lindsay frantically clawed mounds of earth and breeze blocks off her daughter but she was pronounced dead at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd.

The collapse of the wall, which had not long been built at the time of the tragedy, is still being investigated by the police and the Health and Safety Executive.

Family members described Meg as a “shining star” and a “special princess”. In a statement, they said: “Meg had a very special gift of knowing how others felt.

“We are grateful to have had her for the time we did.”

Staff at the Tiny Tots nursery have installed a bench as a tribute to Meg and created a flower-filled area where memories of her can be shared. Owner Tina Jones said: “Meg was a shining star who came to us as a princess and left as an angel.”