'Oh My God!' Last Words Of Schoolboy, 13, As He Was Hit By Land Rover

'Oh My God!' Last Words Of Schoolboy, 13, As He Was Hit By Land Rover

A schoolboy shouted 'Oh my God' just before he was hit by a 4x4 as he crossed a road to play rugby, an inquest heard.

William Avery-Wright, 13, was killed after he was hit by the 4x4 as he crossed the road outside his school.

His dad, Christopher Avery-Wright found out about his death as he was being driven by police to the hospital after being told his son was injured, when he received messages of condolence from people who had read about the 13-year-old's death on the school website.

An inquest at Crawley Town Hall heard that Worth School, in Crawley had published the information in "good faith" and based on the belief that both of his parents had been told about the death of their only child.

The Roman Catholic school had also sent out emails informing parents about the death of William, of Crowborough, East Sussex.

Lisa Avery-Wright said her husband received messages of condolence via text and email as he was being driven to the hospital.

The inquest heard the teenager, who played golf at county level, shouted 'Oh my God' before he was struck by the Land Rover Defender.

Graham Voller, the driver of the Land Rover, told the inquest he had been driving at around 40mph in the 60mph zone.

He said: "I got to a short distance off the crossing and through the side window I just saw someone on the side of the road. I only saw one (person). "

"And then the young lad just arrived in front of the Land Rover. Just as the boy hit the Land Rover I did an emergency stop. I had little time to react.

"When I stopped, I got out of the Land Rover and looked to see the boy, and got straight on to the mobile phone."

Mr Voller, who had his granddaughter with him at the time, will not face criminal charges.

Close