The family of a toddler who died after being hit by a minibus driven by her father in an ‘unavoidable freak accident’ have spoken of the horrific moment which “destroyed the family.”
Lacey Marie Bell, three, slipped out of the front door of her home in Burnage during a ‘pitch black’ wet evening in February.
The youngster tragically fell under the wheels of a minibus driven by her dad, Richard Bell, who was driving off the kerb on his way to the shops.
When he realised his daughter had been injured a devastated Mr Bell raced Lacey to Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital. Medics worked on the tot for more than half an hour to try and revive her but she died.
During an inquest at Manchester Coroners’ Court Lacey’s parents were told her death was the result of a tragic ‘freak accident’ which could not have been avoided.
Assistant coroner Sally Hatfield said: “This was the most shocking accident. It happened in a moment. It was one of those tragedies that could not have been prevented.”
Lacey’s mum, Louanne Southern, described her daughter as a ‘delight’ and told the court: “She was so special and would dress up every day as a nurse. You could just see where her future would have gone.
“She was a special beautiful little girl. She was a loving happy little girl. She loved life and she brought so much happiness into our lives.”
The inquest heard how Mr Bell had spent much of the day fixing a bike for his daughter.
Miss Southern had taken Lacey to a relative’s house after dinner and when they returned home that evening they were greeted by Mr Bell’s sister, Marie.
The youngster was taken straight into the house by her mum as it was a dark and wet night.
Miss Southern momentarily left the youngster in the living room to go and unload the washing. Mr Bell then put his head around the back door of the house and told his partner he was going to the shop before leaving through the back door. Lacey’s aunt, Marie, had already left
When Miss Southern returned to the living room she found the front door open and heard Mr Bell ‘screaming’ just moments later.
Mr Bell told the court how he had felt a ‘bump’ as he drove off the pavement onto the road and thought he may have driven over the cat.
When he realised he had accidentally driven over Lacey he grabbed his daughter and raced her to hospital in his van.
Giving evidence he said: “It’s unbelievable. We had a perfect life. It burns. We don’t sleep all night. It’s destroyed the family.”
The inquest also heard evidence from investigating officers who said the view around the minibus would have been ‘very limited’ due to a hedge outside the house on Heathwood Road and because of Lacey’s height.
Ms Hatfield concluded that Lacey died as a result of a very severe fracture to her head following a road traffic accident.
She said: “Lacey was incredibly well loved and extremely well cared for by her parents who loved her deeply, as did the rest of her family.”
Speaking after the inquest, Lacey’s Aunt Marie said the youngster was adored.
She said: “Lacey was a bright and happy child. Her mother is devastated.
“We’re never going to get over it. It’s torn my family apart but we’re trying to build a future.”
Marie thanked the 1,500 people who attended Lacey’s funeral at St Cuthbert’s Church in Withington. She said lessons at Barlow High School - where Lacey’s older brother, Richard, is a pupil - were suspended for the day so students could attend the service.
She thanked kind-hearted members of the community who donated £2,000 to pay for a pink horse-drawn carriage for Lacey’s funeral and added: “We want to thank every single person who put a pound or a penny in to help us. Everyone who helped has been so kind.”
A memorial garden at Surestart Nursery, in Burnage - where Lacey was a pupil - has been dedicated to the youngster.
