A tragic accident in Preston claimed the life of four-year-old Jayden Kearns after a collision with a minibus driven by Chris Cleaver. An inquest revealed the devastating impact on both families involved.
The lives of two families were irrevocably altered following a tragic accident on March 26th of the previous year. These families, who resided as neighbors and whose children played together, no longer call New Rough Hey in Preston home. On that fateful day, as minibus driver Chris Cleaver returned from dropping off special needs children after their school day, his 3.5-ton van collided with four-year-old Jayden Kearns. Jayden had been playing in the street with Mr.
Cleaver's son, also named Jayden, when he rode his Spiderman bike around the back of the minibus, entering the driver's blind spot. Witnesses described hearing a 'crunching' sound as Jayden's bike went under the van's rear wheels. Despite the efforts of neighbors, paramedics, and police officers, including a blood transfusion administered at the scene, Jayden was tragically pronounced dead shortly after arriving at Royal Preston Hospital.At an inquest held on Friday, January 17th, at Preston Coroner's Court, Jayden's grandmother, Kathleen Yates, shared that their family's world had been 'ripped apart'. She had been observing her grandson, whom she affectionately called 'bum bum', when the collision occurred. 'I heard a massive screech,' she recounted to the inquest. 'I thought he had scraped his wheels against the kerb at first. Jayden was lying on the floor. 'He was lying on his side and there was blood coming from his mouth and nose. Jayden appeared to take a gasp of air and I thought he was alright. 'He looked so pale and tiny just lying there on the ground. He took another breath then he started coughing again but then more blood came out.' Jayden's parents, Gemma and Iaran, were unable to endure the inquest. However, Mrs. Yates explained that her daughter has been unable to return to their family home since her son's death. 'They aren't coping at all,' she added.A police investigation cleared Mr. Cleaver of any wrongdoing. During his interview under caution, as officers considered whether he had potentially committed the offence of causing death by careless driving, he maintained that he had checked his surroundings thoroughly before setting off. Mr. Cleaver began his statement by expressing his 'very sorry' for 'Jayden's tragic death'. He and his partner, along with their five children, had resided in New Rough Hey for seven years but relocated afterward. 'I saw Jayden Kearns riding along the path away from me,' he stated in his interview. 'That was the only time I saw Jayden until after the collision. 'I parked up alongside a grass area. The only reason I pulled over was because I saw my daughter and son. I turned the radio down and spoke to my daughter. 'My intention was to move my vehicle forwards and park behind my house. I told my daughter to step back. I wasn't distracted in any way. 'Before setting off I stopped to assure myself it was safe to proceed. The wheelchair ramp restricts my view sometimes. I believe I checked my nearside. 'Having satisfied myself it was safe, or so I believed, I set off. I had only moved a short distance when I heard a metal scraping sound. I initially looked down at my dash thinking there was something wrong with the vehicle. 'I stopped. I didn't hear a scream. I had no idea what had just happened. 'I got out and saw Jayden lying in the road. I was in shock, I couldn't believe I had hit him. I could see he was bleeding. I was crying and shaking.' Tests conducted by police revealed Mr. Cleaver had no drugs or alcohol in his system at the time of the crash. He also passed an eyesight test and a field impairment assessment. Area Coroner Kate Bisset returned a conclusion of road traffic collision and extended her 'deepest condolences' to Jayden's family for the 'horrendous tragedy'
ROAD ACCIDENT FATAL COLLISION INQUEST Preston MINI-BUS CHILD DEATH
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