Lorry driver relives terrifying moment Canterbury teenager Tomas Beyenn crushed to death by his truck
Teenager Tomas Beyenne
was crushed by a lorry in Canterbury
by
Jamie Bullen
A lorry driver has relived the horrifying moment he saw the
face of a teenager crushed to death beneath his wheels.
Steven Mitchell told an inquest he heard the screams of
19-year-old Tomas Beyenne after slamming on his brakes in Link
Lane, Canterbury.
He said: "When I looked at the expression on the guy's face I
knew there was something wrong."
Canterbury coroner's court heard Tomas, of Woodlands Way,
Canterbury, was believed to be trying to break into the truck while
drunk and was dragged several feet after becoming trapped.
"As soon as I stopped I heard the scream. I knew there was something wrong..." – lorry driver Steven Mitchell
He was rushed to Ashford's William Harvey Hospital, but died
from his injuries, which included a broken leg and pelvis.
Blood samples taken during a post-mortem showed he had been
drinking alocohol and smoking cannabis on the night of his death in
May last year.
The 19-year-old was born in Ethiopia and moved to England four
years ago from wartorn Eritrea in east Africa. It is believed he
was studying for an English degree at the University of Kent.
The inquest heard he approached the lorry after Mr Mitchell
parked in Link Lane. It was the driver's first time in the city and
he stopped to ask for help finding the delivery bay behind
Wilkinson.
Mr Beyenne attempted to break in to the trailer by removing the
seals. He was eventually told to leave by Mr Mitchell and two taxi
drivers but followed the lorry when it began moving again.
Moments later Mr Mitchell was stopped by horrified bystanders
who heard loud screams from beneath his lorry.
When questioned by police, he said he could not understand how
the teenager had ended up under the truck.
Friends gather at spot
where Tomas Beyenne was killed
Mr Mitchell said: "I want to know what has
happened. It has baffled me. I didn't know what was wrong. I was
being shouted at to stop.
“As soon as I stopped I heard the scream. When I looked at the
expression on the guy’s face I knew there was something wrong.
“I know he was interested in the vehicle at the time. He was
playing around with the seals on the back of the trailer.
“I came back and challenged him. I said 'excuse me mate, what
are you playing at?'. He came back garbled. I couldn't understand
him."
PC Mark Myers, of the forensic collision unit, said Mr Mitchell
was not at fault for the accident, adding he may not have seen Mr
Beyenne before he was hit.
He said: "It looked as though Mr Beyenne was trying to get under
the lorry. It is possible he went underneath the trailer and was
out of view of Mr Mitchell."
Coroner Rebecca Cobb recorded a verdict of accidental death. Mr
Beyenne's relatives did not attend the inquest.
15/02/13
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