An 11-year-old boy died in a "tragic mistake" after falling over on 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 old 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 had fallen.

PC Jonathan Webb, who lead 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 horse play 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 the arrival of the paramedics.

However, Ashley, from Portmadoc Walk, Hartlepool, never regained consciousness and was pronounced dead at the University Hospital of Hartlepool. He had sustained serious 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 ruled a verdict of accidental death.