AN 11-year-old boy died in a tragic mistake after he fell in a busy road, an inquest was told.

Ashley Orley was struck by a Jaguar car driven by Ian Sherwood as he made his way across the A179 Hart Lane, in Hartlepool, on Monday evening.

The youngster and six of his friends were on their way to Throston Golf Course to collect golf balls.

At an inquest into Ashley's death held yesterday Coroner Malcolm Donnelly ruled that Mr Sherwood was not to blame after he heard how Ashley fell.

PC Jonathan Webb, who led the investigation, told the court: "Four of Ashley's friends had already gone across the road. Ashley and two other friends were still on the side.

"The driver was not speeding. Ashley stumbled in the road and fell over prior to being hit by the car. He was on the ground before the impact.

"There was no question of the boys messing about, no horseplay had gone on before. Everyone has been sensible and it has been a tragic mistake.

"Witnesses have said there was nothing the driver could have done to avoid hitting Ashley."

The inquest, at Hartlepool Coroner's Court, heard how witnesses and Mr Sherwood attempted to carry out basic first aid on Ashley until paramedics arrived.

Ashley, from Portmadoc Walk, Hartlepool, never regained consciousness and was pronounced dead at the University Hospital of Hartlepool. He sustained head and chest injuries.

Mr Donnelly said: "For whatever reason, it seems Ashley did not see the Jaguar until it was too late. However, upon seeing it, he did do something about it, and then lost his footing, which sent him to the ground, as a result of which the car went over him.

"The vehicle could have not done anything to avoid the collision and the driver will be upset about what happened.

"He did afterwards what any reasonable person would do following an accident and tried to give first aid. No blame can be attached to him."

Mr Donnelly recorded a verdict of accidental death.