Dad killed by ‘catastrophic head injury’ after his ‘Spitfire pram’ crashed during in charity race

THE RIDER of a homemade soapbox which crashed into a kerb before toppling over died of a "catastrophic" head injury.

Francis O'Sullivan, known as Titch, was sat in the front of the homemade Spitfire kart when it crashed.

5

5

The 52-year-old suffered a serious head injury as the pram flipped over and sent him flying at the Sutton Valence pram race, near Maidstone, on New Year's Day.

An inquest opening at Archbishop's Palace, Maidstone, Kent, today heard Francis had died from a "catastrophic" head injury.

A statement read out during the brief hearing this morning said he was travelling down the high street with the other two men when the homemade vehicle hit a kerb.

Francis, who lived in Langley, near Maidstone, fell and hit his head leaving him with a "catastrophic head injury that was not amenable to surgery", the coroner's court heard.

He was flown to King's College Hospital, London, but later died.

RELATED STORIES

SECONDS FROM TRAGEDY

Last picture of dad moments before fatal fall from 'Spitfire' pram during New Year's Day charity race

HOW DID HE SURVIVE?

Shocking moment driver is catapulted from his car after it smashes into central reservation and rolls into traffic – but he walks away with just scratches

'I'VE CHECKED EVERYWHERE!'

Helen Bailey murder suspect's desperate 999 call to report author missing played to jury

IT'S A PATTERN

Boy, 13, becomes THIRD pupil at 'bullying row' school to be found dead in a year - as mum calls for probe

The cause of death was given at the inquest as a severe traumatic brain injury.

Dad-of-three Francis had previously served as a tank driver in Iraq with Prince Harry's former regiment, the Blues and Royals.

Thousands of spectators had lined the streets to watch the popular race, which sees prams compete two laps of the village road, including "pit stops" along the way.

The contestants stop off to down pints at the three pubs in the village, The King's Head, the Queen's Head and The Clothworkers Arms.

5

5

As news of the delivery driver's death emerged, family and friends paid tribute.

Mum Kathleen O'Sullivan, 77, from Leeds, said: "He would come round a few times a week to see me. I will miss that."

Sister Jeanette Gribben added: "Love you always and forever in our thoughts. May you sleep tight and smile down on us."

Debbie Tharp, landlady of The George Inn, Leeds, where Mr O'Sullivan was a regular, said: "He was a true gentleman, a funny, loyal, and happy man. He was loved by all."

5

Organisers of the pram race, a fundraising group called the Queens Head Oddfellows Fund, is yet to comment on whether next year's event will go ahead but members offered their condolences to Francis' family and friends.

A full inquest is due to take place in March.

We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at [email protected] or call 0207 782 4368