Man who was left paralysed and with severe brain damage after being hit by a speeding police car as a 13-year-old dies 18 years later, inquest hears
A disabled man has died 18 years after being struck by a police car while cycling as a child, an inquest has heard.
Greg Love was 13-years-old and riding his BMX home from a sea cadets class in December 2006 when he was hit by a police vehicle responding to a 999 call.
Although the car's blue lights were on, it was said that a faulty siren prevented Greg from hearing it.
His parents claimed that another police unit had already arrived at the scene of the low-level emergency, suggesting the car that hit Greg was not urgently needed.
Allegations were made that the vehicle was travelling at 50mph in a 30mph zone when the collision occurred.
Greg Love has died 18 years after being struck by a police car while cycling as a child, an inquest has heard. Greg was 13-years-old and riding his BMX home from a sea cadets class in December 2006 when he was hit by a police vehicle responding to a 999 call
Greg was an air cadet before the accident. His parents claimed that another police unit had already arrived at the scene of the low-level emergency, suggesting the car that hit Greg was not urgently needed. Allegations were made that the vehicle was travelling at 50mph in a 30mph zone when the collision occurred
His parents claimed that another police unit had already arrived at the scene of the low-level emergency, suggesting the car that hit Greg was not urgently needed.
Allegations were made that the vehicle was travelling at 50mph in a 30mph zone when the collision occurred.
Greg, a Bournemouth Grammar School student, suffered severe brain injuries that left him in a wheelchair as a tetraplegic and in need of 24-hour care.
He died in January from complications related to a serious bowel condition, pneumonia, a traumatic brain injury and epilepsy.
A full inquest is set to examine the role of the police car in the accident, which took place just 200 yards from Greg's home in Talbot Woods, Bournemouth.
A pre-inquest review was held by Richard Middleton, assistant coroner for Dorset, who stated that a jury would hear the case due to the involvement of the police.
'We do not want to cause any unnecessary distress to the family. We will not need any member of the family to provide evidence,' Middleton said.
He noted that medical professionals who treated Greg and a member of Dorset Police would be called to testify.
Greg's father, Chris, attended the pre-inquest review in Bournemouth.
The full inquest is scheduled for September 18.
Greg, a Bournemouth Grammar School student, suffered severe brain injuries that left him in a wheelchair as a tetraplegic and in need of 24-hour care. He passed away in January from complications related to a serious bowel condition, pneumonia, a traumatic brain injury and epilepsy
In 2010, his parents, Jill and Chris Love, sought legal action against Dorset Police, alleging that the patrol car was responding to a disturbance at a Tesco Express without operational sirens and was travelling at 50mph in a 30mph zone.
They also claimed that police headquarters had issued a broadcast scaling down the emergency.
Dorset Police disputed liability, arguing that Greg bore some responsibility for the accident.
The Loves eventually reached a settlement with the police, receiving a substantial payout.
Dorset Police said: 'Our thoughts remain with the family of Greg Love following his death.
As this matter is the subject of ongoing inquest proceedings, it would not be appropriate for us to comment any further at this time.'
