An 11-year-old boy has died after being involved in a collision with a bus and a car while crossing Nottingham Road in Chaddesden, Derby, a coroner has concluded.
Coroner: crossing was not safe
Susan Evans, coroner for Derby and Derbyshire, completed an inquest in writing into the death of Seth Fulton, who was cycling along the pavement on 17 April when he attempted to cross the road to reach his mother on the opposite pavement.
“On the 17th of April 2026, Seth Fulton was cycling along the pavement of Nottingham Road in Chaddesden when he saw his mum on the opposite pavement. He attempted to cross the road when it was not safe to do so... Neither driver had sufficient opportunity to avoid a collision.”
The coroner determined it was not safe for Seth to cross and recorded his death as a road traffic collision, with the cause of death listed as a traumatic head injury. According to the coroner's account, Seth was struck by a bus which then threw him into the path of a VW Polo. He was taken to the Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham where he died later that day.
Drivers did not have opportunity to avoid collision
Ms Evans noted in her written conclusion that neither the bus driver nor the driver of the VW Polo had sufficient opportunity to avoid the incident. The circumstances of the crossing and the sequence of impacts were set out in the coroner’s findings, which explain how the bus impact led to Seth being propelled into the path of the car.
Community response and family statement
Following his death, Derbyshire Police released a statement from Seth’s parents describing him as having a “lust for life”, a love of wildlife and an adventurous spirit. The family said Seth was much loved by his friends and that everyone who met him would not forget him.
- Date of incident: 17 April 2026
- Location: Nottingham Road, Chaddesden, Derby
- Involved vehicles: Bus and VW Polo
- Outcome: Death at Queen's Medical Centre; cause recorded as traumatic head injury
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Victim | Seth Fulton, aged 11 |
| Coroner | Susan Evans |
| Verdict | Road traffic collision |
The coroner’s finding highlights the vulnerability of young cyclists and pedestrians on busy roads. Local authorities, police and community groups often use such inquests to review road safety measures, though the coroner’s written conclusion did not include recommendations or wider commentary beyond the immediate circumstances of the collision.
For families and residents concerned about road safety around Nottingham Road and other thoroughfares in Derby, it may be useful to contact Derby City Council or Derbyshire Police to request information on local traffic-calming measures, pedestrian crossings and cycling safety initiatives.
This office will continue to follow any further developments, including any safety reviews or community responses prompted by the coroner’s conclusion.
