THE family of Sophia Kelemen, a “smiley and bubbly” baby girl who tragically died after her pram was hit by a car in a multi-storey car park in Tenby, Pembrokeshire, have paid a heartfelt tribute. The incident occurred on the ground floor of the car park on Thursday, 2 January, just after Sophia had celebrated her first Christmas with her loved ones.
Sophia was airlifted to a hospital in Cardiff with severe injuries, including a brain bleed and a broken pelvis. Despite undergoing emergency surgery, she tragically passed away the following day.
Her aunt, Adriana Kelemen, spoke to the Manchester Evening News, recounting the devastating sequence of events: “They were on a getaway in Wales with family friends. It was their last day, and they had been out and then went to the supermarket,” she said. “It happened in the car park. The pram that she [Sophia] was in was left in the worst condition. She was airlifted to hospital due to the severity of her injuries and needed treatment as soon as possible.”
Adriana continued: “They were told she had suffered a bleed on her brain, and she was shortly after diagnosed with brain damage. Overnight she had to have surgery.”
Describing the heartbreaking moments that followed, Adriana added: “The following day we tried to drive down to Cardiff, but by the time myself and my sister arrived, she had already died.”
Reflecting on Sophia’s life, Adriana said: “We had just been together at Christmas. Sophia hardly ever cried. She was so smiley and bubbly. We used to say she was so advanced for her age. She really wanted to walk and was really excited, playful and energetic. She was the cutest and most adorable girl, who had just started babbling. It’s horrible we didn’t get the chance to see her grow up or make memories with her.”
Sophia, who was born in Leigh to Romanian parents, will be buried in Romania, a decision made by her father to honour the family’s roots. “We are all originally from Romania. Sophia was born here and lived in Leigh, but for closure my brother has decided to bury her there because of our roots,” Adriana said.
Speaking of the family’s immense pain, Adriana shared: “They haven’t asked anyone for help. Nothing will bring her back, but I have decided to do this to try and help. They’re trying to grieve and mourn the loss of their child while taking care of her brother, who has seen everything. This isn’t something anyone can prepare for or foresee.”
In response to the tragedy, two GoFundMe pages—one in English and one in Romanian—have been created to help with funeral costs and the expenses of repatriating Sophia’s body.
On the fundraising page, Adriana wrote: “Never in a million years would I have thought I would have to write a post like this. My name is Adriana, the auntie of my beloved niece Sophia. For donations click here
“A seemingly ordinary day turned into our family’s worst nightmare. The baby was airlifted to the hospital with a broken pelvis and a brain bleed and was ultimately diagnosed with brain damage due to the impact.
“Despite the efforts of the doctors, Sophia could not cope with the impact, the surgery, anaesthesia, the brain bleed, and all the injuries were too much for her fragile heart, which eventually gave out.”
Sophia’s death has left her family and the local community in shock and mourning, with many rallying to support the family during this unimaginably difficult time.
