A DISABLED man died 18 years after he was knocked off his bike as a child by a police car on a 999 call, an inquest heard.
Greg Love was a 13-year-old schoolboy cycling home on his BMX when he was struck by the emergency vehicle in December 2006.
Although the police car had its blue lights on it was said that a faulty siren meant Greg did not hear it.
It was also claimed by his parents that another police unit had already arrived at the scene of the low-level emergency and there was no need for the police car to hurry towards it.
It was alleged the vehicle had been travelling at 50mph in a 30mph area in Talbot Woods, Bournemouth, at the time.
Greg, who attended Bournemouth School for Boys, suffered severe brain injuries in the collision and was left in a wheelchair as a tetraplegic, needing 24 hour care.
It has now emerged that Greg sadly died in January from a combination of a serious bowel condition, pneumonia, a traumatic brain injury and epilepsy.
A full inquest will look into the role the police car played in the collision that happened 200 yards from Greg's home.
A pre-inquest review hearing has been held by Richard Middleton, the assistant coroner for Dorset.
Mr Middleton said: "Because there was contact with the police, and that is relevant to the death, the inquest is to be heard with a jury.
"We do not want to cause any unnecessary distress to the family. We will not need any member of the family to provide evidence.
"We might need one or two of the medical professionals that looked after Greg and a member of Dorset Police.
"The police representative (who will be Inspector Joseph Wheable) will need a map to explain the junction where the accident happened and I will expect that official to give a brief precis of the investigation that happened."
Greg's father, Chris, attended the pre-inquest review hearing in Bournemouth.
The full inquest will be heard on September 18.
In 2010 his parents, Jill and Chris Love, attempted to sue Dorset Police over the accident.
At the time their lawyers claimed the police patrol car, that was responding to a night-time disturbance at a Tesco Express, was travelling without its sirens, which were out of action.
Court documents further alleged that the car was going at 50mph in a 30mph zone and that police HQ had just put out a broadcast signalling that the emergency had been scaled down.
The then Dorset Police Authority disputed liability for the accident, maintaining that Greg himself bore some measure of responsibility.
The Loves secured a substantial payout after reaching a settlement agreement with Dorset Police.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel