Dad of girl, 14, killed by lorry on way to school says he feels sorry for traumatised driver
Tragic teen suffered 'catastrophic' head injuries on impact as she ran across a busy road
THE heartbroken father of a 14-year-old girl who died after being hit by a lorry has wished "the very best" for the traumatised driver.
Lavna Chuttoo was mowed down in a "tragic accident" as she sprinted across a busy road on her way to school, an inquest heard.
The A-star pupil was walking with a friend before she was killed a few hundred yards from Coombe Girls' School in New Malden, south-west London, in November last year.
A police investigation found the lorry driver, Gavin Jones, was unlikely to have spotted her and there were no grounds for prosecution.
Speaking after her inquest, Lavna's brave father Chetan Chuttoo said: "I know the driver is traumatised from what happened.
"We wish him the very best. I received his condolences at the time, which meant a lot.
"All I can say is I wish him the very best for the future."
Lavna was struck down after failing to see the turning truck and suffered "catastrophic" head injuries on impact, her inquest was told.
Parents and passersby frantically tried to save her but she was later pronounced dead at the scene, West London Coroner's Court Heard.
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Reflecting on how he has dealt with is daughter's death, Mr Chuttoo added: "I think the closure came after we met with the collision investigation team who did a tremendous job.
"They went through the whole incident in order. I had a lot of questions beforehand but when the they went though it they answered them all.
"She was a diamond. I think she has taught people to be more aware about life.
"She was only 14-years-old, and whatever she has done, she had done a good job and got people together and brought them together."
Coroner Chinyere Inyama returned a verdict of road traffic collision and described the incident as a "tragic accident".
A post mortem concluded that her head injury was "catastrophic" and immediate medical attention wouldn't have been able to save her.
During the inquest several tributes were read out from Miss Chuttoo's friends and teachers.
One said: "We are so very proud of her sense of humour, her happiness her rapturous smile and her infectious laughter."
Another said: "She was an amazing friend and it was a honour to be with her when she died.
"The last thing she did was laugh. This was fitting for such a funny and bubbly girl."
The conclusion of a report by Detective Sergeant John Hartfree found the truck had passed the schoolgirl about 45 metres before the junction of two roads as she walked to school.
He said: "Miss Chuttoo began to run into the road and in effect ran into the path of the lorry and was killed.
"In conclusion it is not likely the driver would have been able to see her when she went into the road."
The police investigation also found Mr Jones' driving "did not fall below the standard expected of a competent driver."
Another statement read out in court by the Coroner from a PC Lee found the driver was already making his turn at 6mph at the junction when she ran into the road.
He said: "It is unlikely there would have been an opportunity to see her prior to the collision.
"There was a very limited opportunity to have avoided this and it is unlikely the driver would have seen her before the collision.
"Miss Chuttoo could have avoided this if she paid sufficient attention when crossing Lime Grove."
Lavna's father raised concerns about the turning and the response from Kingston Borough Council in its efforts to make the junction safer for pedestrians.
After her death pupils at Coombe Girls' School released hundreds of balloons in her memory at her funeral, and last month a short film Featuring Lavna was shown at the House of Lords.