Neighbours stopped on Wednesday to wrap blue ribbons on a tree in front of an Innisfil home where a five-year-old died.

On the lawn, a growing memorial builds with flowers and teddy bears for Daniel.

“He’s just a sweet little boy, a happy sweet little boy, you know just always riding his bike,” says Tyrean Rush.

The five-year-old was killed Tuesday in a tragic accident. South Simcoe Police believe his mother was moving the family SUV when she backed into her son who was riding a scooter.

“She’s pulling the vehicle out of the driveway to protect her kids so he has room in the driveway to play so he doesn’t get hit and he zoomed out behind her,” said neighbour Denise Carl.  

“We tried to do CPR, my husband, myself and another neighbour, we tried, there wasn’t much we could do,” said Raquel Browne.

He was pronounced dead a short time later in hospital.

On Wednesday, neighbours were grieving and so were Daniel’s teachers and classmates. The flag was at half-staff at Alcona Glen Elementary where Daniel went to school.

“There is a place with a counsellor; there are materials for them to draw, to put their feelings on paper. Someone to talk to,” says Senora Baldry with Alcona Glen Elementary School.

Emergency crews who responded to the accident Tuesday are also getting some support.

“It’s very difficult on the officers, a lot of them have children around the same age,” says South Simcoe Police Staff Sergeant Steve Wilson. “When members of our service are involved in a critical incident like this, we have a very good relationship with York Regional Police. They have a critical incident team that come out and defuse and speak to our officers.  

The community is coming together to help Daniel’s mom, dad and older sister through this tragedy. A ‘Go Fund Me’ account is open and has already raised more than $1,700.

Plans are also underway for a vigil in honour of Daniel which is expected to take place sometime this week.