Boy, 7, killed after being hit by bus while being dropped home, inquest told

A SCHOOLBOY died after being run over by a minibus when he was dropped home from school, an inquest heard.

Little Samuel Barker, seven, died after being knocked down by the minibus outside his home on a narrow country road in Monmouth, South Wales.

He suffered “catastrophic injuries” to his head after the vehicle collided with him as it drove off.

The inquest heard that the bus had been running ahead of schedule, meaning that his mum Cat had not yet arrive to meet him.

Sarah Le Fervre, deputy Gwent coroner, told the inquest’s jury that Samuel’s mother was “scrambling to get her shoes on” to meet her sons off the bus.

She said: “When she got outside she initially only saw Samuel’s brother before seeing Samuel lying on his side.

“Mrs Barker knew instantly that Samuel had suffered catastrophic injuries.”

Samuel and his brother “opened and closed the minibus doors themselves” before regular driver John Bevan drove away.

He told the inquest that he “heard a bump” as he drove away which he assumed was the minibus clipping the kerb.

But the inquest heard that Samuel had been caught under the minibus outside his home after it had stopped.

Samuel had been travelling home from school on the bus with his brother and one other passenger in January 2020.

The minibus was operated by CDS travel on behalf of Monmouthshire Council – and driver Mr Bevan was well known to Samuel and his family.

Paying tribute to Samuel, his family said he had a “glowing personality and zany sense of humour”.

They added: “He was always on the move, a happy, active child who loved toy cars, climbing trees, the great outdoors and especially skiing and ski lifts.

“As a family, we are upheld and sustained by our faith in Jesus. While we wish we might have had longer with Samuel, we know that he is now with the Lord Jesus Christ in eternal peace.”

Samuel, who had two brothers, had died before ambulance crews arrived on the A466 Hereford Road.

Catherine Jones, head teacher of Osbaston Church in Wales School said: “We are hugely saddened by the loss of our pupil.

“This lovely little boy was a huge part of the school life, lively and always smiling.

“The whole school community is coming to terms with this tragic news and we are holding our memories of a very popular little boy, full of character and energy.

“He will be deeply missed by all.”

The hearing continues.

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