A BOY of 11 died after suffering serious head injuries when he was in an accident with a van on his way home from school.

Kelvin Edwards, a first year pupil at Westhoughton High School, was knocked down as he crossed Wigan Road, Westhoughton, on March 28.

An inquest yesterday heard that Kelvin, of Templeton Close, Westhoughton, never regained consciousness and died in Bolton Royal Infirmary shortly after arrival.

Kelvin had been walking home with two school friends when the accident happened. One of his friends ran to the Kelvin's home to tell Mrs Edwards of the accident.

When she arrived at the scene she found Kelvin lying unconscious in the road.

Mrs Edward's described her son as "a quiet boy, who was liked by everyone who knew him".

She added that he was sensible and placid with a good road sense. The driver of the van was self-employed market trader Deborah Gent, 35, of Common Street, Westhoughton.

Miss Gent said that she had been travelling below the 30mph speed limit because the traffic was quite heavy.

She said: "I was so amazed when he stepped out. I knew I was going to hit him. He never looked round. I couldn't avoid the collision."

Coroner Martin Coppel said Kelvin must have stepped into the road when the van was very close. A post mortem revealed that death was due to a severe head injury.

Mr Coppel recorded a verdict of accidental death.

He said that although he felt for Kelvin's parents he also sympathised with the driver.

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