Boy died in head-on crash

AN Uckfield schoolboy was killed after the car in which he was a passenger collided with a vehicle travelling on the wrong side of the road.

Laurie Suckling, 13, of The Nightingales, Uckfield, suffered a broken neck when the dark blue Volkswagen Golf he was in collided head-on with a silver Subaru Impreza being driven by 50-year-old Brian Moon, who lives at Forge Close, Uckfield.

Laurie was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident, which happened on the A272 between Newick and Piltdown in February this year.

An inquest this week heard how the Subaru was 'completely on the incorrect side of the road at the time of the collision'.

Laurie, an Uckfield Community College student, was being driven home by his father, Stephen Suckling, after cricket practice in Lindfield. Mr Suckling told the inquest how Mr Moon's car 'veered' into the path of his Golf.

He said: 'We had just driven out of Newick. We were going about 45-50 miles per hour up a hill.

'There was a car coming down the hill. As we got close together, it veered across into our path. I tried as much as I could to stop the car. He just veered for no reason.' Mr Suckling said he had just enough time to shout 'What's this guy doing?' before the smash. Despite being 'very well dazed', Mr Suckling said he tried to talk to Laurie, but added: 'I couldn't communicate with him, he wasn't responding.'

PC Graham Welsh, of the Sussex Police Crash Investigation Unit, said that the Subaru was travelling quicker than the Golf but added that at impact the Subaru was within the speed limit of 60 miles per hour.

He said: 'Not only was the Volkswagen stopped it was pushed back. The Volkswagen was in the correct position prior to and at the moment of impact. The Subaru was completely on the incorrect side of the road at the time of the collision. The reason for the Subaru being on the incorrect side of the road can only be speculated on.

'There was nothing more Mr Suckling could have done to avoid the contact. It was a devastating impact.' Two other vehicles then made slight contact with the crashed cars as they tried to avoid the wreckage. In a statement, Mr Moon said he didn't remember 'any part of the accident at all.'

Laurie's family said later n a statement: 'The effect of Laurie's death has devastated our family and all of his friends as he played such a critical role in our lives. He was a very special person, fun loving, with a cheeky sense of humour, bubbly personality, and sensitive nature. In his school, judo, cricket and sailing to name but a few of his accomplishments he shone.

'We are grateful for the 13 years we shared together and want to celebrate those precious and treasured times, remembering what we have had and endeavouring not to dwell on what we have lost. However, the vulnerability and helplessness caused by this incident will be prominent in our lives forever.

'Ruined lives'

'The loss of our son, brother and friend has completely and utterly ruined our lives and our futures will never be the same again.'

It was revealed at the inquest that Laurie's parents, Sarah and Stephen, had given permission for their son's organs, including his corneas and heart valves, to be used in transplants.

Coroner Roger Stone said the incident was 'something of an unforeseen happening'. Verdict: Accidental death.

l Police said this week that Mr Moon has been charged with careless driving.