Dad sues skip firm over crash tragedy (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Dad sues skip firm over crash tragedy

2:29pm Thursday 8th May 2008

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The father of teenager Alex Grayson, who died after his scooter crashed into a skip, intends to sue the hire firm he blames for his son's death.

Former Malmesbury School pupil Alex, 16, of Gilboa Cottages, Brokenborough, failed to notice a minimally lit' skip as he rode his Peugeot Speedfight 50cc moped at night, an inquest heard.

Gloucestershire coroner Alan Crickmore told how the skip operators had not abided by regulations' as only one light was put on, instead of the four recommended by safety laws.

After a verdict of accidental death was recorded, Alex's father, Chris, vowed to take legal action against Valley Trading, the hire company that owned the skip.

Mr Grayson, a builder, said: "The rules are that there should be four lights clearly displayed and three lights between cones in front of them. I know who is responsible and I will definitely be taking civil action."

The inquest heard how the skip was clearly visible' thanks to street lighting on the B4014 in Silver Street, Tetbury, where the accident happened.

One witness told how he saw sparks fly off Alexander's bike before the night-time collision in October 2006.

Mr Crickmore said it is possible that Alex had been distracted by this before the crash.

Valley Trading, of Babdown Airfield, has already been cleared of any charges relating to the case by a court because of a legal loophold.

Its owner Raino Kahkonen pleaded not guilty to failing to ensure the skip was properly lit.

But a court ruled the firm could only be responsible in law if the hire period was less than a month and the skip was hired from October 30 to November 30 - a period of 32 days.

Alex, who had just started a business marketing and graphic design course at Cirencester College, was a popular teenager and 450 mourners attended his funeral in Malmesbury Abbey.

His mum Gaynor, dad Chris and brothers Kieron, 20, and Jordan, 11, described him as a wonderful character.

Mrs Grayson, a recently qualified teacher, said Alex had an incredibly strong bond with his brothers. "They were our three musketeers," she said.

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