A TODDLER reaching for his skateboard underneath the family car was killed when his grandfather moved the vehicle, a coroner has heard.

Charles 'Charlie' Taylor, who was just three years old, died following the accident in the driveway of his home in Bury Road, Branksome, on October 1 this year.

An inquest heard that the car was fitted with parking sensors and a reversing camera, all of which were in good working condition.

However, it is thought that the young boy had been attempting to get to his skateboard, later found directly underneath the automatic Volkswagen Sharan people carrier.

Charlie's grandfather, Tyrone Taylor, 'bore no blame' for the incident, it was heard.

Mr Taylor had been washing the car prior to the accident.

In a statement read out at Bournemouth Coroner's Court in Stafford Road, Mr Taylor said he saw his grandson go inside the house.

He had spent around two minutes inside the vehicle closing the windows and a sunroof before checking around him and moving the vehicle.

The parking sensors did not sound and there was no sign of any obstruction behind the car.

However, when he had reversed around three feet, he heard a "bang".

When he got out of the car, Mr Taylor saw one of Charlie's shoes. The child was entirely underneath the vehicle, and had suffered a serious head injury.

Mr Taylor's wife Eileen said in a statement that she had been in the house when she heard her husband "howling", and rushed outside to find Mr Taylor holding Charlie in his arms.

Ambulance crews were on the scene within minutes, and paramedics rushed Charlie to Poole Hospital.

However, he could not be saved.

Robin Struthers, who lives in a neighbouring property, heard Mr Taylor's cries and rushed over to the house to offer his help.

After Charlie was taken to hospital, Mr Struthers recalled Mr Taylor saying: "Oh my God. I have killed my grandson."

He said Mr Taylor was in "total emotional distress", and said the word 'shock' did not accurately describe Mr Taylor's feelings.

A post mortem found that Charlie had died as a result of a severe traumatic head injury.

Inspector Matt Butler, senior investigating officer for the accident, said he believed it was likely that Charlie had crawled under the car before it was moved, and Mr Taylor "bears no blame".

He said he did not find it likely that the boy had been standing when the collision took place.

"I see this as an accidental tragedy," Insp Butler said.

"I believe Charlie had tried to retrieve a skateboard from under the car."

Recording a verdict of accidental death, Dorset Coroner Sheriff Payne said: "It seems clear that Charlie himself has put himself under the car in some way."

He added: "It is clearly a tragic accident."