GIRL, 3, CRUSHED BY CAR AS MUM FORGETS HANDBRAKE; Horror at nursery school.Byline: EUAN STRETCH A GIRL of three was crushed to death after her mother left the car handbrake off, an inquest heard yesterday. Amber Whyte was pressed against a gatepost at her nursery school nursery school, educational institution for children from two to four years of age. It is distinguishable from a day nursery in that it serves children of both working and nonworking parents, rarely receives public funds, and has as its primary objective to promote by the family Toyota Picnic people carrier. Her mother, Jacqui, 40, told how she was looking in the boot for a violin for Amber's sister, Melody, five, when the car moved. Mrs Whyte, a civil servant, said: "As the car rolled back I heard a scream - I thought it was Melody." She then spotted Amber crushed behind the car. Mrs Whyte said: "She wasn't moving." Amber was taken to hospital in Farnborough, Kent, where she died from severe neck and chest trauma Chest trauma (or thoracic trauma) is a serious injury of the chest. Thoracic trauma is a common cause of significant disability and mortality. Thoracic injuries account for approximately 25% of all trauma-related deaths. . The Tunbridge Wells Tunbridge Wells: see Royal Tunbridge Wells, England. inquest heard police say Mrs Whyte may have thought the brake was on as the car was wedged on a kerb. PC Andrew Waghorn said Mrs Whyte would not have been strong enough to stop the car rolling back. Mrs Whyte said she had been "ridden by guilt" since the tragedy on June 5 in Otford, Kent. Coroner Roger Hatch, who recorded a verdict of accidental death, gave his sympathy to Amber's parents. CAPTION(S): TRAGEDY Amber |
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