M-way death boys 'were confused'

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Two boys who were killed crossing the M56 in Cheshire were confused and had made a "spur of the moment" decision, an inquest has heard.

Kieran Coupe, seven, and Guy Davies, six, were hit by three cars near Runcorn as they tried to get home to nearby Mudishaw on 24 October 2007.

Warrington Coroner's Court was told the pair died instantly.

Coroner Nicholas Rheinberg ruled their deaths were unintentional and recorded a narrative verdict.

The inquest heard the friends were on scooters as they tried to make their way home to Blythe Close where they both lived.

They had wandered off earlier that afternoon despite being told not to stray from their homes.

'Desperately upset'

An hour before the accident Kieran and Guy were seen playing close to the motorway.

Mr Rheinberg said: "These were very young children, six and seven, and quite probably absolutely terrified.

"They were in alien surroundings, out way past the time they should be home and desperately upset.

"They acted on the spur of the moment without thought or consideration."

A 30m section of fence blocking off the motorway had fallen down where "more probable than not" the boys climbed through, added the coroner.

Final moments

Motorists who gave witness evidence and police calls, revealed how the boys managed to cross the eastbound carriageway.

They then stood at the central reservation but were killed as they doubled back across the motorway, the inquest was told.

During the three-day hearing motorists, some of whom pulled on to the hard shoulder to call police, said they saw the boys final moments.

"This has been very upsetting for all concerned, very much so for the parents and horrible to have to go through all this again two years after the event," said Mr Rheinberg.