An 11-year-old boy tragically killed in a bus crash in Derby was attempting to cross the road to reach his mother, a coroner has concluded. Seth Fulton died on April 17 after he was struck by a bus and then a car on Nottingham Road in Chaddesden.
Details of the Incident
Seth was cycling along the pavement when he saw his mother on the opposite side of the road. He decided to cross, but was hit by a bus, which threw him into the path of a VW Polo. He suffered a traumatic head injury and died the same day at Queen’s Medical Centre in Nottingham.
Coroner Susan Evans, for Derby and Derbyshire, completed an inquest in writing on Wednesday and concluded that it was “not safe” for Seth to cross the road. She stated that neither the bus driver nor the VW Polo driver had “sufficient opportunity” to avoid the collision.
Coroner's Findings
In the record of inquest, Ms Evans wrote: “On the 17th of April 2026, Seth Fulton was cycling along the pavement of Nottingham Road in Chaddesden when he saw his mum on the opposite pavement. He attempted to cross the road when it was not safe to do so. He cycled in front of a VW Polo car on the nearside lane and as he got to the far side carriageway, he was hit by a bus coming from his left. This impact caused him to be thrown into the path of the VW Polo. He suffered significant injuries and was conveyed to Queen’s Medical Centre in Nottingham where he died later that day. Neither driver had sufficient opportunity to avoid a collision.”
Family Tribute
In a statement released by Derbyshire Police after Seth’s death, his parents described him as having “a lust for life, loved wildlife and was adventurous.” They added: “Everyone who came into contact with Seth will never forget him. He loved his friends as much as they all loved him.”
