Boy, eight, died in his sleep just hours after bumping his head while playing
Little Leo Burton, aged eight, hit his head while playing but did not appear to have any symptoms of a brain bleed
A LITTLE boy died in his sleep after banging his head while playing just hours earlier.
Leo Burton, aged eight, is thought to have suffered a brain bleed — but did not appear to have any symptoms and went to bed as normal on Saturday.
An investigation has now been launched as Leo's distraught family prepare for a touching memorial to the young lad.
His sudden death has stunned locals in Gosport, Hants who described him as a "happy, smiley" boy who was taken too soon.
Leo leaves behind his mum Natalie, dad Tom, and siblings Courtney, Levi, Liam and Sophia.
Grandmother Michelle Dennis, 49, said: "It’s devastating. I don’t think it has quite sunk in yet."
Leo’s aunt, 24-year-old Nikki Burton, said: "Leo was just one of the brightest little boys ever; he was so smiley and could make anyone laugh instantly.
"Leo was loved so much by everyone – he gave his dad so much joy.
"He was a beautiful boy and we will miss him so much."
Leo’s grandmother, Loretta Burton, 64, said: "Leo was always happy and smiling.
"He loved being out and about and being around people.
"He hated seeing people upset and that caring nature that we will never forget."
A memorial has been set up at St John's Square in the town where mourners have been placing flowers, balloons, Mickey Mouse toys and touching tributes to little Leo.
Loretta added: "Everyone has been looking out for one another and we are all incredibly grateful for that."
Family friend Jade Blyth, 31, said: ‘Leo was obsessed with Mickey Mouse because he had a big teddy of him from when he was a baby.
"There’s now a load of Mickey Mouse teddies in St John’s Square as part of the memorial – it’s just grown and grown as people found out about it.
"It’s a beautiful way to remember him and just goes to show how many lives he touched.
"The whole thing is incredibly sad because it was such a freak accident and could have happened to anyone."
MOST READ IN NEWS
Neighbour Trudy Jackson, 34, says that Leo was close with everyone in the community.
She said: "He would sometime refer to me as his wife, which was rather sweet.
"We were meant to be having a pizza date, but never got round to it.
"He was such a cute little lad, always happy and smiling – if you were ever feeling down in the dumps Leo would be there to pick you back up."
The memorial at St John’s Square is open for anyone to leave a tribute to Leo.
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at tips@the-sun.co.uk or call 0207 782 4368. You can WhatsApp us on 07810 791 502. We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours.