Harley Watson: Boy killed in hit-and-run died from severe head injury

10 December 2019, 10:51

A 12-year-old by killed in a hit-and-run outside his school in Essex died from a severe head injury, an inquest has been told.

Harley Watson died at Whipps Cross University Hospital in east London after a vehicle ploughed into children leaving Debden Park High School in Loughton on December 2.

Essex coroner's officer Lynsey Chaffe, speaking at the opening of an inquest into Harley's death, said the 12-year-old was struck by a vehicle in Willingale Road.

She said: "He was immediately conveyed to Whipps Cross Hospital where his death was confirmed at 4.43pm."

A post-mortem examination said Harley's cause of death was a severe head injury.

Essex senior coroner Caroline Beasley-Murray said: "Please could the court's sympathy be expressed to Harley's family at this very difficult time."

A 51-year-old man has been charged with murder over the incident.

Terence Glover, of Newmans Lane, Loughton, is also charged with the attempted murder of a woman and nine children and of driving a Ford Ka dangerously in Willingale Road, Loughton.

The attempted murder charges relate to 23-year-old Raquel Jimeno and six boys and three girls aged between 12 and 16 who cannot be named for legal reasons.

Glover has been remanded in custody and is next due to appear before Chelmsford Crown Court for a plea hearing on January 31.

Harley's family said in a statement released through Essex Police that they were "devastated by what has happened" and described him as a "good, kind, helpful and lovely boy".

The two-minute hearing in Chelmsford was adjourned until a date to be fixed.