Boy’s quad bike death in Kerry ruled as accidental

Pathologist Dr Margot Anne Bolster told the family at the inquest that death would have would have been 'immediate' and he would not have suffered

George Francis (Freddie) Davenport was killed when he fell off a quad bike driven by his grandfather. Picture: via RIP.ie

A verdict of accidental death has been returned in the inquest into the death of a five-year-old boy who fell off a quad bike driven by his grandfather in Cloghane, Dingle, in August 2023.

The quad bike was towing a motorised mower and George Francis (Freddie) Davenport had become entangled in the mower, the inquest at the West Kerry Coroner’s Court in Tralee was told.

The accident had been “a horrific experience” for the entire family, West Kerry coroner Helen Lucey said. Two other children who were also on the quad bike were uninjured, the inquest heard.

Death would have would have been “immediate” and he would not have suffered, Pathologist Dr Margot Anne Bolster told the family at the inquest.

In a brief summary of the autopsy she carried out on August 7 at University Hospital Kerry, Dr Bolster said the boy had suffered very severe head injuries and injuries to his leg. The coroner Helen Lucey returned a verdict of accidental death.

George Francis Davenport known as Freddie of Folkstone, Kent, had died on August 6, 2023, at Liscarney, Cloghane. 

Severe traumatic brain injury

The cause of death — in line with the evidence of the pathologist — was polytrauma with severe traumatic brain injury due to roll-over injuries by a motorised vehicle.

Ms Lucey offered her deepest sympathy to the parents Laura and David, the grandparents and grand uncle, and all the Brown and Davenport families.

“Words cannot describe it,” the coroner said of the tragedy. The only comfort was death was instantaneous and he would not have suffered, she said.

This was a tragic accident and horrific for the entire family, Ms Lucey said. The child’s mother, Laura, who was in tears at the inquest was comforted by family.

The first witness was Frank Browne, the child’s grandfather, of Liscarney, Cloghane. His deposition read for him by Sergeant Shane Thornton said he was cutting grass at home and his grandson George was with him and sitting in the quad bike behind him.

Quad bike had been driven slowly

Two other children were also on the quad and he was driving slowly as he had George with him.

“When I looked around, George was gone,” he said. He jumped off and there was no sign of the child, he said. When he found him in the mower he could see straight away he was dead.

Neighbour Paul O’Donnell who was summoned to help arrived on the scene and could see Laura crying and hugging her son George. He checked and couldn’t find any sign of life.

Garda Enda McInerney of Castlegregory Garda Station attended the lawn at the side of the house and a young boy was entangled in the mower. 

He had suffered serious injuries, the garda said. His grandfather had been driving the mower. 

Two other children had been sitting on the quad bike when he fell off and they were uninjured, Garda McInerney said.

Death was pronounced at the scene by a doctor from Annascaul on duty for South Doc, the inquest was told.