Mystery remains over death of boy, 16, in crash

A TEENAGE boy from Turville Heath died after in a car crash in Scotland, an inquest heard.

Edward Bush, 16, suffered “grave” injuries in the incident on June 3, 2021 when he and two girl friends were struck by a car in Kirkton, near Lochend, in the Highlands.

Beaconsfield Coroner’s Court heard how the boy, who attended Stowe School, was hit by a white Audi Q3 while attempting to cross the A82 to go swimming with his friends in a nearby loch.

Edward was taken to Raigmore Hospital in Inverness, where he was pronounced dead the next day.

The two girls he was with were also injured in the crash — one seriously — but survived.

Edward’s parents, Annabel and Jonathan, and brother Harry attended the inquest on Thursday last week.

The hearing had been adjourned from February last year in an attempt to gather more evidence from Police Scotland.

Senior coroner Crispin Butler described Edward’s death as “tragic”.

He told the court that the teenager had been crossing the road on the northbound side with his friends when the Audi collided with them as the driver came round a left-hand bend. Edward was struck by the front nearside of the car and was thrown over the top of the vehicle, landing on the road.

Mr Butler said he would not discuss in detail the nature of the injuries out of sensitivity for the family, but Edward sustained “grave” injuries which would have left him unconscious and he would not have known anything about what followed.

One girl was struck by the front of the car near the grill, hit the windscreen and was thrown into the southbound lane. The other girl was struck by the nearside wing door mirror.

The Audi continued before stopping at a junction near a house.

Mr Butler said that there was no perceived issue with the road. No issues were found with the vehicle that would have contributed to the collision.

Detailed calculations of hypothetical stopping distances, reaction times and stopping times were reported by collision officers but Mr Butler noted that there was no way of questioning the officers to see if these were right .Officers had analysed where a person could be observed and how long it would take a driver to see a pedestrian in the road.

Mr Butler said that hazards such as uncut vegetation on the verges would have made it difficult and described the vicinity as a busy scene visually on a “sharpish” bend but added: “It does not tell me whether a pedestrian should be or would be visible.”

He said there was a restricted view for road users but that a pedestrian actively looking into the road would be able to see a vehicle approaching as it came into view.

Police said the driver was going no faster than 60mph but would not have had sufficient time to react.

Mr Butler recorded a verdict that Edward died from injuries sustained in a road traffic collision.

He offered his best wishes to the family and said he understood that the mental trauma for Edward’s wider family and friends would continue. Mr Bush thanked Mr Butler for his “kindness and consideration” throughout the process.

At the time of Edward’s death, his family released a statement saying: “Edward will be missed so much by so many as he was a truly outstanding young man with such an incredible and bright future ahead of him.He will never be forgotten and will remain eternally loved and adored by his brothers, parents, family and friends.”

In January last year, Edward’s family issued a statement challenging the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service in Scotland for declining to share witness statements and reports with the coroner during their investigation.

They said they found this decision “wholly and utterly unacceptable” and the lack of help and support had “damaged” the family and prolonged a “devastating process”.

The family say they were not criticising Police Scotland’s handling of the case and were grateful for the kindness shown to them by the officers involved. They say they hope that this issue can be addressed in future to help families going through similar circumstances.

A spokesman for the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service said: “We understand the family’s frustration and distress. The Procurator Fiscal carried out a thorough investigation into the death of Edward Bush. His family was kept informed of all significant developments during our investigation.

“The coroner was provided with all appropriate material.”