Narrative verdict at inquest into the death of Hucknall teenager Harrison Carlin

A Nottinghamshire coroner leading the inquest into the death of a Hucknall teenager has said that if drivers fail to observe speed limits and don’t pay care and attention in residential areas there is little that can be done.

Speaking at this week’s two day hearing into the circumstances which led to Harrison Carlin being killed whilst cycling along Forest Lane, Papplewick, coroner Mairin Casey recorded a narrative verdict.

Harrison’s death prompted a community-led campaign to reduce the speed limit on the stretch of road where he was killed but Miss Casey said that whatever safety measures are made you can not account for drivers’ actions.

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Daniel Kirk was driving a Mitsubishi car on 1st July 2012 when he collided with Harrison, 15, who was thrown from his bike and pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics. Mr Kirk said he had been gradually increasing his speed as he approached the 60mph zone and didn’t see the teenager until it was too late.

A witness said the National Academy student had been cycling along the pavement when it came to an end so he joined the road after checking if it was clear.

But Mr Kirk claimed he had looked in his rear-view mirror at that point and didn’t see him come out.

The driver told the inquest he was travelling between 40mph and 50mph but forensic experts suggested this could have actually have been between 60-80mph.

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A police officer from the East Midlands Serious Collison Investigation Unit said it was likely Harrison had misjudged the speed Mr Kirk’s car had been travelling at.

No charges were brought against the driver at the time of the incident but following the inquest, the coroner said the Crown Prosecution Service would be sent a recording to re-examine the findings.

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