THE inquest of a four-year-old boy killed in a motorbike incident will be postponed until April after the Coroner confirmed that the road traffic police unit were still looking into the case.
Lennox Railton-Craggs died after the off-road bike he was on crashed into a post near his home at Eldon Lane, Bishop Auckland, on Sunday, January 23 this year.
Despite the efforts of paramedics from the Great North Air Ambulance and North East Ambulance Service, who airlifted him to Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary, he could not be saved.
Read more: Bishop Auckland balloon tribute for Lennox after bike tragedy
In the aftermath of the schoolboys’ death, heartfelt tributes have been paid to him – describing the four-year-old as “always having a smile on his face,” and “an amazing friend and could be often seen holding another child's hand.”
Today (February 25), a mention hearing was carried out at Crook Civic Centre at 12.15pm, where it was confirmed that the inquest couldn’t take place until the police had concluded their enquiries.
Coroner, Mr Jeremy Chipperfield, updated the case and set another mention hearing for April 4 at 12pm – telling Lennon’s mum, Rachel Craggs, who appeared virtually at the hearing, “sorry we haven’t been able to make much progress with the case, but it’s out of my control”.
He added: “We have had an update from the police, which states that the road traffic collision file won’t be available until April. There’s no update yet.
“It’s customary for the police to do the first part and we thank them for their involvement in the case and their expertise, but we have no other option but to wait until the police investigation adjourns.
“On the next occasion with the mention hearing, not much will happen, but it will give a chance to check that the police have concluded their investigation and the file is available.”
The update in the inquest comes almost a month after his family and friends carried out a balloon release in memory of the four-year-old, which saw balloons emblazoned with tractors, hearts, dinosaurs, and Paw Patrol characters fly into the sky.
On January 30, the Bishop Auckland community stood together to remember the life of their “happy little man,” which saw a silence fall over the crowd before Lennox’s name was shouted and everyone burst into applause and the Tones and I song, Fly Away, was played.
Lennox, who had 11-year-old twin sisters and brothers, aged one and three, was a pupil at Prince Bishops Community Primary School in Coundon Grange.
In the aftermath of Lennox’ death, fundraising campaigns were launched for the Great North Air Ambulance Service, which tried tirelessly to save his life, and the school, which his mother said has been incredibly supportive to his siblings and plans to create a memorial to her son.
The collection has so far raised more than £2600; more than the initial £2500 target.
Donations can be made online here.
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