A 'tiny' three-year-old girl was crushed under the wheels of a Hermes delivery van as a 'knackered' delivery driver reversed outside her grandmother's house while she was playing on her scooter, an inquest heard today.

Little Milliee-Ann McKellar had been 'laughing and joking' in the cul-de-sac during a family visit to her grandmother's house when she was crushed by both sets of wheels of the two-tonne Mercedes Sprinter.

She had been stood in the 'blind spot' of the black and grey vehicle as it reversed and was sent 'toppling' as it hit her, it was heard.

Tragically, she was pronounced dead at the scene after suffering significant crush injuries. The van driver remained at the scene and assisted police officers with their investigations.

At Salisbury Coroner's Court, Wiltshire, area coroner Ian Singleton today concluded a verdict of death by road traffic collision following the incident in Calne, Wiltshire.

The inquest heard Milliee-Ann had been taken by her mother, Tanzin Wells, to visit her grandmother in Calne on the morning of March 3, 2021.

Ms Wells was sat in the front garden with her mother, Glynis Smith and other neighbours, when Sergi Tomaiaya, their usual delivery driver, arrived and gave one of them a wave having parked on the pavement.

Milliee-Ann had been 'laughing and joking' as she played and spoke with her family, it was heard.

In an interview with police, Milliee-Ann's grandmother, Ms Smith, said the driver looked 'knackered, drawn out and tired' as he drove past her house.

She also said Mr Tomaiaya - who was 29 at the time and is no longer in the country - 'wouldn't normally drive on the pavement'.

The hearing was told Mr Tomaiaya had dropped off a parcel after parking 'half on and half off the pavement' and then moved again to drop off his final three deliveries.

When he returned, he 'jumped' back into his vehicle and, after checking his mirrors and rear-view camera, reversed.

The inquest heard the rear-view camera - located on the number plate of the vehicle - covers only 90 per cent of the rear. This meant that due to Milliee-Ann's 'size and stature' she would have been in the van's 'blind spot'.

Having been 'caught off guard' as she stood there with her scooter, Milliee-Ann was sent 'toppling' over and was crushed by both sets of wheels before Mr Tomaiaya 'realised what had happened'.

A panicked neighbour who was sitting with the family 'jumped up' and yelled 'he's just f***ing run over her'.

In a statement read to the court, another neighbour who witnessed the incident said Milliee-Ann 'didn't stand a chance' as she was knocked over.

'As the driver got back into his van, she made an attempt to get back on the pavement,' he said.

'She didn't stand a chance and the back and front near side wheels ran her over.

'She had blood coming from her mouth and there were obvious crush injuries.

'When I took her head in my hands, it literally felt like I was holding her together.'

Mr Tomaiaya told police as he reversed, he 'felt something' but didn't see anything until a small scooter came into view from the front of the van.

In her statement, Ms Smith said 'tiny' Milliee-Ann had 'good road safety knowledge' and would be the 'first one to shout car if a car was coming'. A police investigation into her death found that due to her age, Milliee-Ann 'failed to identify the danger the van posed to her'.

Weighing just 2.5st, the inquest heard there was a considerable disparity in 'stature' between her and the van.

Mr Singleton concluded Milliee-Ann had died of 'multiple injuries' and had been killed by a road traffic collision.

He offered his 'very sincere condolences' to the family.

Paying tribute after the inquest, Milliee-Ann's mother said she wanted people to remember their 'beautiful little angel'.

Ms Wells said: 'I want people to remember our beautiful little girl as the cheeky and sassy little threenager she was.

'How she loved her babies, her pink quad that she was excited to have and going out in the fields with her family - especially being able to go on daddy's bike with him.

'She was super excited to become a big sister to Carter-Ray. We will never ever forget you baby girl and you will forever be in our hearts.

'We all will treasure the memories we had with you we love you so much.'

After an investigation Wiltshire Police confirmed the driver would not be prosecuted and concluded their enquiries.

At the time, a spokesperson said: 'An investigation into the circumstances of a collision in Calne in which a three-year-old girl sadly died has now concluded.

'A thorough investigation led by specialist officers has been conducted and a file was sent to the Crown Prosecution Service who concluded that no further action will be taken against the driver of the van involved.

'The parents of the young girl have been informed and our thoughts remain with them at this time.'

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12098861/Girl-three-killed-mother-Hermes-delivery-van-reversed-inquest-hears.html