Young brother and sister died from ‘traumatic head accidents’ after automotive hit their e-scooter, inquest advised, as police ask coroner to droop listening to
A brother and sister killed in a reported hit and run crash while on an e-scooter both died of traumatic head injuries, an inquest heard today.
‘Tragic’ Roman Casselden, 16, and Darcie Casselden, nine, were riding together on the vehicle before their deaths.
Members of the public rushed over to help before emergency services arrived at the scene of the crash in Basildon, Essex, on February 1, but desperate efforts to revive them failed.
Separate inquests into the deaths of Roman and Darcie, who lived in Pitsea and were described as ‘beautiful angels’ by their mother, were formally opened and adjourned today.
Essex area coroner Michelle Brown said the e-scooter was ‘involved in a collision with a motor vehicle which was travelling east along Ashlyns’.
Darcie was declared dead at 7.10pm while Roman, an apprentice football coach, was pronounced dead at 7.50pm.
Essex Police previously said the pair were on a privately-owned e-scooter when the collision happened at around 6.25pm.
The bodies of both the children were identified by their heartbroken mother Emma Keeling.
Darcie Casselden, nine, was ‘a soul filled with creativity and beauty’, her heartbroken mother said in a tribute
Older brother Roman, 16, who died in the crash was described as a ‘lovely, caring person’
One card left by a member of staff at a local school read: ‘I’m so sorry that you have both been taken away, far too young. Pictured: flowers left near the scene
Ms Brown added: ‘Police have advised that the driver of the vehicle was subsequently arrested for various offences.’
She said that post mortems were conducted on February 6 and gave the provisional causes of death for each of them as ‘traumatic head injury pending further investigation’.
Ms Brown stated at each hearing: ‘Essex Police have requested the suspension of the inquest, pending a police investigation and potential prosecution.’
A review will take place in four months’ time, although she added she suspected it might take longer for the hearings to conclude.
Ms Brown went on: ‘I would just like to extend my personal sympathies to the family. They were very, very young and these were tragic circumstances.’
Members of the public are said to have battled to save Roman and Darcie after the crash on the 30mph limit road.
A woman who was arrested in connection with the incident was later released on police bail while a man who was arrested was released under investigation.
Ms Keeling paid tribute to her children in a statement released through Essex Police, saying: ‘Roman had a heart of gold, dedicating his time to working with children in the community.
Darcie (pictured) was killed alongside her brother Roman on February 1
Roman ‘had a heart of gold, dedicating his time to working with children in the community’, his mother said
Floral tributes were laid out at the scene of the crash with messages of memory and support to the grieving family
‘His warmth and generosity touched so many lives, bringing smiles, hope, and encouragement to those who needed it most.
‘His legacy is one of selflessness, compassion, and an unwavering belief in the goodness of people.
‘Darcie was a soul filled with creativity and beauty, with a passion for art that reflected the depth of her spirit.
‘Through her talent, she painted the world with colour and emotion, leaving behind a piece of herself in every stroke.
‘She was a wonderful individual who brought joy and inspiration to those lucky enough to know her.
‘Though they are no longer here in person, their love, kindness, and spirit live on in the hearts of all who knew them. Their impact will never fade, and their memory will forever be cherished.
‘Rest in peace, our beautiful angels, Roman and Darcie. You were loved beyond words and will be missed beyond measure. From everyone including your siblings Madison and Harrison.’
She added in a post on Facebook: ‘To any parents gossiping about my kids in the playground. Give ya heads a wobble.
‘Two beautiful souls have died. Whether they was on an e-scooter or not some evil person has hit my kids and drove off.’
The accident happened days after Basildon Council voted to ban an official e-scooter hire trial amid claims they were causing ‘havoc’ and being left scattered across the town.
Dozens of floral tributes as well as cuddly toys were left at the spot next to the junction where Roman and Darcie died.
The children’s father, who is no longer in a relationship with their mother, spoke of his devastation on social media, writing: ‘I love you so much.’
Chief Superintendent Leighton Hammett, of Essex Police, said: ‘The whole community is mourning for the loss of Roman and Darcie and we have specialist officers supporting their family.
‘My thoughts, and those of everyone at Essex Police, are with them at this incredibly difficult time.
Police at the scene of the crash in Pitsea, Essex, on February 1
‘This has been a hugely emotive incident, the impact of which has been felt by everyone in the community, including my own officers.
‘There is a huge amount of rumour and conjecture online about what happened… I know there is a huge amount of interest but this is not helpful to the family of Darcie and Roman.
‘I would ask people not to speculate about what happened. We will investigate and we will find the answers they so desperately need.’
A community vigil two days after the crash was attended by hundreds of people, while a fundraising page set up in memory of the siblings to help with funeral expenses and other needs has raised nearly £31,000.
Hearts Academy Trust, which runs Briscoe Primary School, also paid tribute to the children.
Chief executive Don Wry said: ‘We are deeply saddened regarding the news of the sudden death of one of our pupils, Darcie, and her brother Roman, who also attended our school up to July 24, 2019.
‘During this time of immeasurable loss, our thoughts and sympathies are with Darcie and Roman’s family, friends and to all those who knew them both.
‘Darcie and Roman were both beloved children and members of our school community. We know their loss will be felt by many and we will continue to support friends, family and the wider staff and locality.
‘We kindly ask that the family’s, school’s, and Hearts Academy Trust’s wishes and privacy are respected at this time, as we collectively mourn their loss and as we provide support and help for each other and the young people in our care who knew and loved Darcie and Roman.’
The charity Achievement Through Football where Roman worked also paid tribute to the youngsters.
It said in a post on Facebook: ‘We’re all devastated by the deeply felt loss of such a loved and valued team member and friend Roman, and his precious sister Darcie.
‘With his warmth, gentleness and ever-willing nature, Roman massively blossomed with us over the past year, which has been a delight to witness. We will deeply miss him.’
Have I Got News For You host Ian Hislop, 64, suffered a head injury when he was hit by an e-bike on December 11
It comes after MailOnline reported in January that e-scooter collisions have doubled in recent years, prompting an urgent call for a change to the law.
Deaths and serious injuries linked to the powerful motorised machines have also reached worryingly high levels, a Mail investigation has found.
Safety campaigners, including the family of the first pedestrian killed in an e-scooter collision, are calling for legal safeguards on their use, and want police to enforce the rules banning them from pavements.
In total, 29 people died between 2020 and 2023 in 4,515 e-scooter collisions, which also caused 4,807 injuries, 1,402 of them serious.
AA president Edmund King said: ‘These figures show a worrying trend that needs to be nipped in the bud by legislation and better police enforcement.’
He said legislation was needed urgently to ‘regulate top speeds, brakes and size of wheels’ and to prevent the importation of dangerous batteries which can cause fires.
Across the UK in 2020, there were 460 collisions involving the vehicles, with 484 people injured and one death.
Since then, incidents have increased dramatically and peaked in 2022 when there were 1,411 collisions, with 1502 injuries and 12 deaths.
Recent casualties have included Have I Got News For You host Ian Hislop, 64, who suffered a head injury when he was hit by an e-bike on December 11 last year.
