Family of motor-mad 3yo invite fast cars to funeral

The Funds for Felyx page has already gathered over $4,500. Photo / Supplied

The family of a motor-mad toddler who died after a log fell on him on Sunday are asking anyone with a loud, fast car to come to their boy's funeral this weekend.

Felyx Hatherly, of Pleasant Point, loved anything loud and fast but he would get particularly excited by rotary cars, said family spokesman Trent Bishop.

"He loved his cars, I know that's typical to say of a 3-year-old-boy but he really loved them," Mr Bishop said.

"Especially rotary cars, you should have seen his face whenever he saw them."

Felyx was visiting his dad's Timaru workplace with his mother on Sunday when tragedy struck.

Mr Bishop told the Herald he didn't want to go into detail, but said Felyx was climbing up a pile of logs when the accident happened.

A log fell on him and despite being rushed to hospital Felyx died of his injuries.

Mr Bishop had been playing with the toddler a couple of days before he died, and said Felyx was like a little mate to him.

"He was one of the boys -- old soul, young boy."

To help pay tribute to their son, Felyx's parents were asking as many people as possible to drive to his funeral at Pleasant Point on Saturday at 12.30pm, Mr Bishop said.

Rotary cars would be particularly appreciated but "if they've got something loud and fast then come along".

Meanwhile, a Givealittle page set up for Felyx's parents had blown them away, Mr Bishop said.

"They are overwhelmed with the way New Zealand is supporting them with donations."

Felyx's parents have had to borrow money to cover his funeral costs and anything donated to the fund would help them pay it back.

So far more than $4000 has been pledged to the page Funds For Felyx, set up by Dunedin woman Megan Paddon.

"Let's help Felyx's family through the hardest thing they've had to face," she wrote.

"This young, bright, car-loving soul was lost in a tragic accident.

"At 3 years old Felyx was a best mate, a son, a brother to all. Let's help his family grieve without financial pressure and help them send Felyx off in the way only the best deserve; to the sound of a lineup of dirty rotas."