Inquest hears 11-year-old boy died from traumatic brain injuries after being struck by lorry

Elrich Caputo (aged 11) from Reask Drive, Navan, Co Meath died after he was hit by a truck as he crossed the road on the morning of October 16, 2016.

The incident took place at Abbeylands South, Navan, Co Meath shortly before 10am.

Elrich was a football fanatic who played with Parkvilla Football Club.

A Garda investigation into the incident is ongoing, an inquest into his death heard at Dublin Coroner's Court.

Inspector Martina Noonan applied to the court for a six month adjournment of proceedings to allow for garda inquiries to continue.

The boy's mother was visited by Gardaí at her home in Navan on the morning of the accident, she said in her deposition.

"I was woken in the house by Gardaí around 10.30am. The Gardaí informed me that my son had been in a road traffic accident and he had been taken to hospital," Luciana Caputo said in her statement.

Elrich was airlifted to Tallaght Hospital and later transferred to Temple Street Children's Hospital. Mrs Caputo followed her son to Temple Street Children's Hospital and stayed with him until his death a week later.

"I stayed by his side for seven days," Mrs Caputo said. Elrich was pronounced dead in hospital at 3.15pm on October 23.

Garda Patrick O'Brien of Mountjoy Garda Station was called to Temple Street Children's Hospital later that afternoon for the purpose of formal identification. Garda O'Brien said the boy's parents were present in hospital and Elrich was formally identified by his mother.

Pathologist Dr Emma Doyle carried out an autopsy and gave the cause of death as craniocerebral trauma due to a road traffic collision. The boy's mother was not present in court but his father was present and accompanied by a garda liaison officer.

Coroner Dr Myra Cullinane extended her sympathies to the family and adjourned the inquest for further mention on September 21 2017.