FAMILY’S TEARS 

‘We forgive young driver’ say tragic Noah Sikora’s parents as they reveal shopper’s CPR heroics after car park tragedy

THE heartbroken parents of a three-year-old boy killed after being knocked down in a car park have praised a woman who performed CPR on their dying son — giving them a chance to say a proper goodbye.

The shopper jumped into action after little Noah Sikora was hit by a vehicle in the underground car park of Charlestown Shopping Centre, in Finglas, north Dublin, last week.

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Dad Bartek told The Irish Sun: “He didn’t have to die there on the cold ground because of this woman.

“She actually saved his life in the car park. It gave us an opportunity to say goodbye to him in better conditions and in his bed. We could lie beside him and all of that.

“He actually died before I came to the hospital. When we came to him he gave us a breath. He gave us hope.”

Emotional mum Martyna added: “He heard our voices and then he start breathing.”

Dad Bartek continued: “Then we got to say goodbye. He heard our voices. He was waiting for us before his last breath.”

Devastated Bartek and Martyna said a heartbreaking final farewell to their beloved son at his funeral on Monday, before the toddler was later cremated.

And his parents were later joined by dozens of others as they paid a final tribute to the lad near the spot where he died.

They released balloons for Noah before friends of the family paid their respects amid tearful scenes.

Noah was rushed to Temple Street Children’s Hospital following the horror in the Charlestown Shopping Centre car park just before 8.40am last Wednesday.

He was tragically pronounced dead later that afternoon.

Gardai are investigating the crash. However, they are treating it as a tragic accident.

And in their first interview, Noah’s parents revealed they hold no ill will towards the woman who knocked their boy down.

Dad Bartek told us: “We forgive the driver because she is only young. It doesn’t matter who she is, but we just forgive her and for what happened.”

Grieving Bartek also opened up on the immense joy that Noah brought into their lives.

Describing his boy, he said: “Noah was a happy child, always. He was always like that, talking to strangers. He was a happy child.”

Tearful Martyna also told how someone’s attention had been drawn to bright and cheerful Noah just before he was struck down.

She told us: “We have a witness who said that she had focused on him because he was laughing so loud before the accident.”

On Monday evening, on the on Charlestown Shopping Centre’s roof patio, mourners sobbed as they listened to Bartek thank them.

Noah’s older brother Leo released a red balloon — his sibling’s favourite colour — before a large release of blue ones by everyone there.

People then embraced Noah’s parents as they paid their respects.

And Bartek told us: “That was beautiful. Everything was beautiful. The funeral was beautiful like we wished it to be.

“This what we’ve done with the balloons was even more beautiful than the funeral. That all these people came to support us and to do it for Noah. That was beautiful.”

Mum Martyna was so taken back by the strong show of support, she told us: “No words to say.”

Earlier that day, Noah’s funeral took place at St Canice’s Church in Finglas.

A teddy and flowers were placed at the foot of his small coffin, and a white sheet placed over it.

The service heard how Noah had given the family “so much love in a such a short time”.

Fr Martin Hogan said: “On behalf of the parish community here in Finglas I’d like to extend my deepest sympathies to Bartek, Martyna and Leo, on the death of Noah. To his grandparents, uncles, aunties, cousins and other relatives.

“None of us can really comprehend your grief at this time, especially the grief of Bartek and Martyna. It is so deep and raw. We can only try to stand with you and to pray for all of you and Noah.

“And we know really that Noah doesn’t need our prayers, such a young, innocent child is surely with the Lord in heavenly glory.

“But all of you will need our prayers and we pray that the Lord will give you the strength you need at this time to come through this valley of darkness.”

More than €26,000 was raised for Noah’s family through an online fund set up after his death, with the proceeds going to his funeral.

A friend who created the GoFundMe page told how Noah’s loss left “an unimaginable pain and emptiness in the hearts of those who loved him”.

But thanking those who donated, they said: “From the bottom of our hearts, thank you to everyone for the incredible support shown to the family during this very difficult time. Thank you for every kind word and for all the donations towards little Noah’s funeral.

“Thanks to your kindness and generosity, the fundraising goal was reached in just one day — and even exceeded. We are truly grateful for your help and support.

“May none of us ever have to experience such a tragedy as the one that has touched Noah’s family.”

Gardai have appointed a family liaison officer to support the boy’s relatives at this tough time.

And they are still seeking witnesses to the crash, including anyone with dash-cam footage of the accident.

Cops said: “Contact Finglas Garda Station on 01 666 7500, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.”

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