A LITTLE boy was accidentally run over at a Runcorn travellers’ caravan site, an inquest heard today.

Witnesses described watching 22-month-old David McDonagh pretending to wash a Ford van minutes before the collision at the Warrington Road transit site.

His dad, Robert, known as Sonny, had been talking to the 19-year-old driver, Joseph Douglas Doherty about planning a football match, at around 6.30pm on Tuesday, September 2, 2014.

In a statement, Mr McDonagh said: “David was stood with me by the side of the vehicle.

“Doug rolled the vehicle forward about a foot. We heard shouting.

“I realised something was wrong. Doug immediately stopped.

“I saw the boy lying on the floor with his legs under the van beside the front passenger side.

“He wasn’t moving or making any sound.

“My wife picked him up and we rang an ambulance.”

Paramedics tried to resuscitate the child and took him to Warrington Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

A post mortem revealed he had died from head injuries.

Landscaper Mr McDonagh and his wife, Margaret, both aged 23, said they were unable to attend Warrington Coroners Court because they ‘couldn’t cope’ with the hearing.

Two police officers read out statements.

Joseph Douglas Doherty was originally charged with causing the boy’s death, driving whilst uninsured, the court heard.

Senior investigating officer, Neil Farnworth said: “CPS discontinued with this offence because there had to be a level of blameworthiness.

“Quite clearly in this case, there wasn’t.

“He could not have known the child was there.

“Mr Doherty was very friendly with the father of the baby. He was related to the victim and is extremely distraught by what happened.

“He admitted a charge of driving without insurance.”

Sgt Farnworth said all the witnesses had been very co-operative and their statements were consistent with the evidence.

Pc Rob Wilson, from Cheshire Police collision investigating unit, said: “Witnesses said they saw David imaginary washing the van with a sponge. David was 79cm tall.

“The child wouldn’t have been visible to the driver.”

Police were unable to say whether David had fallen or crawled underneath the vehicle.

Cheshire deputy coroner Dr Janet Napier recorded a verdict of accidental death.

She said: “This is a horrifying tragedy for the relatives. It is very very tragic.

“It is very understandable why they are not here. I’m sure they have not forgotten any of it.

“It’s in their hearts and minds forever.”