The family of a five-year-old boy killed in a road accident today told how he had bravely battled against a genetic disorder which made him smaller than other children his age.

The family of a five-year-old boy killed in a road accident today told how he had bravely battled against a genetic disorder which made him smaller than other children his age.

Speaking for the first time since his death in the collision in Bowthorpe on Monday, the parents of Kai Davies said that despite his blood condition which often left him feeling weak he always had “a smile like sunshine”.

His nine-year-old sister Charley said: “I loved him so much and he was the best brother ever in the whole wide world.”

Kai was pronounced dead at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital following the collision in Three Score Road at 1.30pm that day. He had been on a fishing trip with his father Jason Davies when he was in a collision with an estate car near the pedestrian crossing.

Mr Davies said the pair had been fishing since about 11am and had decided to move to another spot to continue into the evening.

“His number one love was going fishing with me. He had his own rod and he usually caught bigger fish than me,” said Mr Davies. “We had been talking earlier and he said he'd had the perfect day.”

Mum Jo-Anne said: “He loved looking at the stars at night-time, we often used to do that and it was so peaceful. He always used to say he'd like to go up there.

“I can't even begin to describe how much we loved him and how much we are going to miss him.”

Kai suffered from hereditary spherocytosis, a blood condition leading to his spleen and heart being weakened as the body worked overtime to pump blood through the organs.

The condition often left him feeling lethargic, jaundiced, and tired and meant he was smaller than other children but he never let this get him down.

Kai, who also had a one-year-old brother Sonny-Jay and a large extended family in Norwich, was described as an intelligent boy with a special interest in dinosaurs and was able to name almost every species. He was interested in animals and was an avid football fan, supporting Leeds United like his dad.

He was a Year One pupil at Chapel Break First School, Bowthorpe. In a statement the school said: “He was a popular and happy boy who always had a smile on his face. As a community we are devastated. Our hearts and thoughts go out to his family.”

Road policing officers have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death. They have already spoken to witnesses including the male driver of the estate care.

Anyone with information who has yet to speak to police should contact PC Matt Gouldsmith on 0845 4564567.