A four-year-old child was testing on his new school outfit seconds before he was killed when he was hit by a garbage truck while riding his bike.
Bronson Williams was hit by a car on the street outside his home in Launceston, Tasmania, at 12:15 p.m. on January 27, 2017.
The driver could not have spotted Bronson, who was riding a little bicycle on the road and the footpath around the truck, when he was killed, according to a coroner’s inquiry on Thursday.
The crash was not caused by drink, drugs, speed, inattention, road conditions, or weather, according to Coroner Simon Cooper.
‘(Bronson) was not wearing a helmet when riding his bike. Mr Cooper wrote, “However, a helmet would not have rescued him.”
‘I send my heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of (the boy). His demise is a sorrow beyond words.’
On the day of the event, Tasmania Police Inspector Ruth Orr informed reporters that the truck driver was “very disturbed up.”
‘This is the most disturbing (scene) I’ve seen in 25 years.’
Jaime Denman, Bronson’s older sister, said her ‘little angel kid’ was trying on his school clothes 30 minutes before he was shot.
‘We had just taken him to school to collect his new clothing, and he had only worn them on 30 minutes before the awful accident,’ Ms Denman wrote on Facebook.
‘He was ecstatic to begin high school with his brother and sister.’
‘Bronson was a bright young man with a lively personality who was adored by his siblings.’
Belinda Bannister, Bronson’s mother, and other members of his family were present at the time of the tragedy.
In a Facebook tribute, Ms Bannister said, ‘Of all the special gifts of life, whatever vast or tiny, having you as our son was the greatest gift of them.’
‘We can’t replace a special moment, a special face, or a special son.’ We miss you Bronson and love you,’ we mumble softly, our hearts bleeding.’
‘RIP our darling child, we love you forever and will never forget you.’ ‘Until the end of time, we will keep you in our hearts.’
Mr Cooper praised the first responders’ professionalism and described the police inquiry as comprehensive.