Girl dies after being run over by her father in 'freak accident'

The family of a toddler who died after being hit by a minibus driven by her father in an ‘unavoidable freak accident’ have spoken of the horrific moment which ‘destroyed the family’.

Lacey Marie Bell, three, slipped out of the front door of her home in Burnage during a ‘pitch black’ wet evening in February.

The youngster tragically fell under the wheels of a minibus driven by her dad, Richard Bell, who was driving off the kerb on his way to the shops.

When he realised his daughter had been injured a devastated Mr Bell raced Lacey to Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital. Medics worked on the toddler for more than half an hour to try and revive her but she died.

During an inquest at Manchester Coroners Court, Lacey’s parents were told her death was the result of a tragic ‘freak accident’ which could not have been avoided. Assistant coroner Sally Hatfield said: “This was the most shocking accident. It happened in a moment. It was one of those tragedies that could not have been prevented.”

Lacey’s mum, Louanne Southern, described her daughter as a ‘delight’ and told the court: “She was so special and would dress up every day as a nurse. You could just see where her future would have gone. She was a special, beautiful little girl. She was a loving, happy little girl. She loved life and she brought so much happiness into our lives.”

A memorial garden at Surestart Nursery, in Burnage – where Lacey was a pupil – has been dedicated to the youngster.