THE death of a three-year-old girl who was hit by a van when her pushchair was blown into the road was an accident, a coroner has ruled.
Olivia Langley was hit by a delivery vehicle outside her home in Woburn Court, Croydon, on March 25 last year.
An inquest into her death, held at Croydon Coroner's Court today (Tuesday), heard that a gust of wind caused the pushchair to roll into the road as her mother prepared to take her to school.
Clinton Jackson, who was driving the DPD courier van, told the court he had not seen Olivia.
An investigator confirmed that she would have been in the van's blind-spot.
Olivia's mother, Louise Uffindell, who was not present in court, said she left Olivia unattended while reading the gas meter in her home.
"I was getting myself and Olivia read for school as usual," she explained in a statement read out by coroner Dr Roy Palmer.
"We were running a bit late so I decided I would take Olivia in the pushchair as it was quicker that way. She usually took the scooter.
"When I got outside I remembered I needed to check the gas meter to see how much credit I had and if I needed to get some more."
Ms Uffindell said she left Olivia on the pavement while she went back inside, but did not apply the pushchair's brake.
"I was only inside the flat for a few minutes when I heard a noise," she added in her statement.
"I didn't know what it was, but it got my attention and made me rush out of the flat.
"When I got outside both the pushchair and Olivia were on the road.
"Olivia was positioned as if she was still sitting in the chair. The van was stationed directly in front of her.
"My immediate reaction was just to get Olivia out of the road and pick her up.
"Then I was running up and down with her. I was screaming and telling the people in the van to call the ambulance."
Olivia was taken to St George's Hospital, in Tooting, having suffered a serious head injury. She was pronounced dead later that morning.
Mr Jackson was arrested on suspicion of causing death by careless driving. Last November he was told by police he would face no further action.
Olivia's father Stewart Langley and other family members attended today's inquest.
Coroner Dr Roy Palmer recorded a verdict of accidental death.More to follow.
