Young skateboarder died playing 'chicken' in road (From Western Telegraph)

Young skateboarder died playing 'chicken' in road

A HAVERFORDWEST skateboarder killed by a motorcyclist was playing 'chicken', the Coroner's Court heard last week.

Ten-year-old Joshua Lloyd, of 11 Kestrel Road, sustained a fatal head injury when, lying face down on his board, he shot out into the path of a Suzuki motorcycle being driven by Andrew Pemberthy.

Joshua's mother, Deborah Perrin, said he had 'desperately' wanted a skateboard. He received one for his tenth birthday, which took place shortly before he died.

On June 5th, Joshua and five friends - some riding skateboards and some on scooters - had been daring each other to wheel down Kestrel Road and straight across Trafalgar Road, without stopping. Joshua, and some of the others, had completed the dare once or twice before the accident occurred.

At approximately 9pm, Mr Pemberthy was driving down Trafalgar road in the direction of the St Davids Road when Joshua - who was first in the queue of children - slid between his wheels. The back wheel of the motorbike then went over the boy's head.

Joshua was rushed to Withybush Hospital, but he did not survive.

"It is quite apparent from the evidence of Joshua's friends that they were playing an extremely dangerous game," said Pembrokeshire Coroner Michael Howells. "On this occasion, things went tragically wrong."

Mr Howells said he was satisfied Mr Pemberthy had been riding his bike at a speed consistent with the conditions, and was not driving in a dangerous or improper way.

"I think in the circumstances, the proper verdict for me to return is death by misadventure," Mr Howells concluded.