The family of a toddler killed on holiday in the Bahamas say they are one step closer to getting justice for their son. SARA NELSON reports ...

THREE years on from the tragedy, the Bahamian authorities have finally agreed to allow British detectives to re-investigate the case.

Two-year-old Paul Gallagher died from severe head injuries after he was hit by an out-of- control speedboat which mounted a beach in August 2002.

Nobody has been prosecuted over the death, even though neither the boat's owners nor its driver were licensed, registered or insured.

An inquest in the Bahamas returned a verdict of accidental death but a second inquest held at Bromley Magistrates' Court last year recorded an open verdict.

Since the tragedy, the same boat firm has been linked to an accident which saw an American teenager lose an arm, as well as two other deaths since 1999.

The Gallaghers, of Repton Road, Orpington, believe the silence has been to protect the island's booming tourist trade, particularly the 3,500 capacity Atlantis Resort, where Paul was killed.

In October, an invitation from the Bahamian authorities to the Metropolitan Police was stalled after both police forces were unable to agree on the terms of the investigation.

The Foreign Office has since confirmed negotiations have resumed and two Met Police officers are expected to fly to the Bahamas in the next month.

Paul Gallagher, 41, who runs a home recruitment business with his wife, said: "We have already had an official letter from the Bahamian Attorney General saying the law was broken but nothing was done.

"The Met shouldn't have to go over there but someone has to pay the consequences."

As the family prepare to face their fourth Christmas without Paul, they are anxious the investigation will lead to a prosecution.

Mr Gallagher, his wife Andrea, 38, and children Heather, eight, and Andrew, four, have been too upset to visit Paul's grave since the tragedy.

Mr Gallagher said: "I will not rest until something is done. My boy was killed and more people have died.

"Christmas is a very difficult time for us, particularly because Paul was born on January 1. Normally we would have a knees-up on New Year's Eve but now the family don't meet up any more. "

He added: "If people are prosecuted and sent to jail we will move on. I won't be able to click my fingers and become a happy person but we need to have this closure."