An 11-year-old boy died after he attempted to cross a road on his bicycle to reach his mother, a coroner has concluded. Seth Fulton was cycling along the pavement of Nottingham Road in Chaddesden, Derby, on April 17, 2026, when he saw his mother on the opposite side. He decided to cross but was struck by a bus and then a VW Polo, suffering fatal injuries.
Coroner's Findings
Susan Evans, coroner for Derby and Derbyshire, completed an inquest in writing on Wednesday and concluded that it was “not safe” for Seth to cross. She noted that neither the bus driver nor the VW Polo driver had “sufficient opportunity” to avoid the collision. The cause of death was recorded as a traumatic head injury.
Details of the Incident
According to the coroner's record, Seth cycled in front of a VW Polo on the nearside lane. As he reached the far side carriageway, he was hit by a bus coming from his left. The impact threw him into the path of the VW Polo. He sustained significant injuries and was taken to Queen’s Medical Centre in Nottingham, where he died later that day.
Family's Tribute
In a statement released by Derbyshire Police after Seth’s death, his parents described him as having “a lust for life,” adding that he “loved wildlife and was adventurous.” They said, “Everyone who came into contact with Seth will never forget him. He loved his friends as much as they all loved him.”
