Schoolboy, 13, killed by moving car after he released the handbrake and slipped under the wheels as it rolled down a hill
Tragic Kaden Gowers was crushed after jumping out of driver's seat of Vauxhall Zafira to try and push it from behind
A BOY of 13 was run over and killed when he fell under a car after releasing its handbrake, an inquest heard.
Kaden Gowers was listening to music with a friend in the Vauxhall Zafira when he took the handbrake off in a quiet cul-de-sac in September last year, the hearing was told.
Cops, paramedics and two fire engines rushed to the scene but the popular youngster could not be saved.
According to the , Kaden and his friend jumped out of the car as it started to roll back, in a desperate bid to push it back up the hill.
The 13-year-old slipped in the road, and the vehicle rolled onto him.
The inquest heard the car’s brakes were in a serviceable condition at the time of the incident.
Cheshire coroner Jean Harkin concluded the teen’s cause of death was acute asphyxia due to crush injuries, recording a verdict of misadventure.
The coroner said: “This is a very sad and tragic death of a young man.
“His friend confirmed that Kaden let the handbrake off. He exited the car, the car started to move backwards and he fell over trying to stop the vehicle from behind.
“He became trapped and suffered crush injuries and was unconscious when paramedics arrived.
“Kaden released the handbrake which was a purposeful act which went on to cause his death, an act that went terribly wrong.”
Speaking at the inquest, Kaden’s friend said she pushed the 13-year-old away from the car to try and save him.
In a statement, devastated mum Kerry Jennings said her son was a “thoughtful” youngster.
She said: “He stepped into the mantle of being the man of the house after his father’s death.”
Speaking at the time of the incident, a neighbour said: “It’s terrible, especially when it’s a child. How horrific. I saw the flashing lights about 9pm, police cars everywhere. I knew it was bad.”
Police investigated the incident in Macclesfield, Cheshire, but confirmed nobody else was involved.
Kaden’s teachers and friends at All Hallows Catholic College said special prayers for him in assembly the morning after the tragic accident.
Headteacher Tony Billings said: “Kaden joined All Hallows this September, coming into Year nine.
“In a very short space of time he made many new friends. We are all deeply saddened.
“Our chaplains have been on hand to support staff and students who are upset and we are reaching out to Kaden’s family reassuring them of our prayers and support.”
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