Inquest hears of boy's scooter death

A Hayle schoolboy died riding a micro-scooter

An inquest has heard how a Hayle schoolboy was hit by an ice-cream van as he crossed a road on his micro-scooter.

Jamie Farrar, 12, sustained multiple injuries in the collision near his home in the Cornish town.

The inquest in Truro was told the ice-cream van's brakes were faulty, although it was driving within the 30mph speed limit.

Recording a verdict of accidental death, West Cornwall coroner Edward Carlyon expressed his sympathy to Jamie's family.

Vehicle defects

He said Jamie had failed to see the van coming towards him, making a collision "inevitable".

Police vehicle examiner Mark Richards said the front brake pads on the ice-cream van would not have passed an MOT.

He also said the vehicle was in a "dangerous condition", with a total of 10 defects.

But PC Gary Looker said the van's driver, Sarah Hough, could not have avoided hitting Jamie Farrar, even if the brakes had been of MOT standard.

Eyewitness Julie Hugo told the West Cornwall coroner Edward Carlyon that she saw the accident on 18 June this year.

Speaking at the inquest, she said: "In my opinion the driver of the ice-cream van did all she could reasonably be expected to do to avoid the scooter and its driver."

Devon and Cornwall police confirmed they would not take further action against Miss Hough.