Gary Lineker’s tragic tree surgeon cousin, 18, was ‘crushed to death by a falling log’, inquest hears after star’s sons pay tribute

Gary Lineker’s 18-year-old cousin was crushed to death by a falling tree trunk while he worked as a tree surgeon, an inquest has heard.

Jonty Parkinson, the Match of the Day presenter’s cousin from his marriage to his first wife Michelle, died from a crush injury to his abdomen in Oxfordshire.

An inquest opened at Oxford Coroner’s Court last week heard that Mr Parkinson, of Colonel St Aldwyns, Cirencester, died on Friday, September 6.

During the brief hearing on September 25, attended by senior coroner Darren Salter, he heard the incident happened while the 18-year-old was working as a tree surgeon.

A GoFundMe has since been set up in the teenager’s memory, raising more than £30,000.

Jonty Parkinson died from a crush wound to his abdomen after being hit by a falling tree trunk

Two of Lineker’s four sons from his first marriage – George (middle right) and Tobias (far right) – wrote moving messages on social media about the death of their ‘beloved’ cousin

Tobias Lineker, 28, posted a boy’s photo of Jonty smiling with a message: ‘Taken from us far too soon, rest in peace nephew’

Jonty was Lineker’s cousin from his marriage to his first wife Michelle Cockayne (pictured)

Mr Parkinson (left) was working as a tree surgeon at the time of the accident

Tributes were shared on social media by relatives and local businesses ahead of his funeral, which was held last week

The fundraiser, created by family friend Allison Murray, said: ‘For friends of Bob and Ali Parkinson, I have started this fundraiser to help them create a beautiful memorial or event to celebrate the life of their beloved son Jonty, who tragically passed away sage lost his life on September 6.

‘I realize that money cannot fill the great gap of loss they feel, but I hope it can be used to ease the burden of funeral costs or to realize a suitable memorial for Jonty, or at least that the family deems necessary.’

Mr Parkinson’s funeral is understood to have taken place last Friday. A number of local businesses near his home in Gloucestershire were closed that day so staff could attend the service.

Lineker himself has made no statement about his cousin’s death.

The Oxford Mail reports that the incident took place in Eaton Hastings. A date for the full investigation is yet to be confirmed.

It appears that Mr Parkinson has been working in the landscaping business for some time.

Last July, a profile photo was uploaded to a social media account bearing his name, showing him grinning as he stood next to two of his colleagues on the trunk of a recently felled tree.

The New Wave Brasserie, Bar and Fish Market in Lechlade, which said it once employed the young man, said in a post on social media last week: ‘It is with heavy hearts that we would like to express our deepest condolences to Bob and Ali Parkinson for the loss of their son Jonty.

“Many of you may have met Jonty when he worked at the restaurant and know his kindness and how much he meant to us.

“We are all devastated and sending so much love to Bob and his entire family.

“The funeral arrangements and celebrations of his life will be Friday afternoon, so please understand that we will be closed to our employees early tomorrow.

‘Thank you very much for your thoughts and kind comments. We will pass them all on to Bob and his family x.”

Mr Parkinson was the cousin of Gary, 63, from his marriage to his first wife, Michelle Cockayne, with whom he shares four children: George, Harry, Tobias and Angus.

His mother, Ali Cockayne, is Michelle’s sister and was previously married to former England rugby captain Will Carling.

News of Jonty’s death first emerged last month when two of Lineker’s four sons from the marriage wrote moving tributes to their cousin on social media.

George, 31, posted an Instagram Story with a photo of himself with Jonty as a youngster with a caption: “One of the nicest guys you will meet, taken way too soon. Fly high cousin, you will be missed by all.”

Meanwhile, Tobias, 28, also posted a boy’s photo of Jonty smiling with the message: ‘Taken from us far too soon, rest in peace nephew.’