Police, paramedics and council workers are all involved in investigations into the death of a 14-year-old boy while behind the wheel of a suspected stolen car during a police chase, a coroner has heard.
Leo Gradwell, 14, is understood to have been behind the wheel of a Fiat 500 when it crashed into another car, believed to have been a Kia Sportage.
Leo was taken to the Royal Albert Edward Infirmary, where he died from his injuries. Leo left behind his family in Platt Bridge, Wigan, including mother Kirsty Gradwell and father Ryan Robinson.
Two other boys in the car at the time were also injured, including another 14-year-old, and 15-year-old who was left in critical condition.
The tragic incident, which took place in Ashton Road in Golborne on October 11, 2019, has since been the subject of a number of investigations- two by Greater Manchester Police (GMP) and the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).
Police say the chase began when the Fiat failed to stop for police on Warrington Road in Abram at around 1.25pm.
The crash is thought to have taken place close to a bend on the 40mph road near a farmer's field and a row of bungalows.
An inquest into Leo’s death was opened on October 18, 2019, and was resumed with a pre-inquest review hearing on Tuesday at Bolton Coroners' Court.
The family has raised ‘concerns for the treatment and care’ of Leo by paramedics in the hours before his death, along with questions around why he was taken to the Royal Albert Edward Infirmary, rather than a ‘major trauma centre’ such as Salford Royal Hospital, heard the court.
Coroner Timothy Brennand is gathering the IOPC’s own report on the incident, GMP’s serious collision and forensic collision reconstruction reports, and audio recordings of the police radio transmissions as evidence.
GMP, North West Ambulance Service, Wigan Child Services and the IOPC are all represented in the proceedings.
An IOPC spokesperson told the Manchester Evening News : “Our investigation into a Greater Manchester Police pursuit in Wigan Road, Leigh in October 2019 which resulted in the death of 14-year-old Leo Gradwell concluded in October 2020.
“Our final report was shared with GMP and the coroner. We’ll consider issuing our findings after the future inquest.
“Our thoughts remain with Leo’s family and anyone affected by the incident.”
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The North West Ambulance Service said: “NWAS attended a serious motor incident which resulted in the tragic death of a 14-year-old boy.
"Our sincerest condolences go out to the family and friends of Leo Gradwell and our thoughts are with them at this difficult time. The inquest has not yet concluded and therefore it would not be appropriate for us to comment further at the present time”.
Witnesses giving ‘substantial pieces of evidence’ will be required to attend coroners court in person to be heard.
Coroner Mr Brennand told the court: “The central issue is how and by what means death has occurred.
“If there is to be any expansion of the scope of the inquest, that is something that we have to be clear about.”
The material will be gathered and shared among the interested parties.
Two further pre-inquest reviews have been scheduled for July 13 and September 6, ahead of a full inquest the week commencing October 4, 2021.
Greater Manchester Police has been contacted for comment.
