A MOMENTARY lack of attention cost a six-year-old boy his life, an inquest heard.

Shoaib Aftab, of Benson Street, Bury, died when he ran into the path of a lorry and fell under its rear wheels.

The youngster had just finished lessons at Fishpool Infant School on March 16 last year and was running up Parkhills Road with a school friend, with their parents following behind.

As the children reached the corner of Killon Street, the six-year-old girl ran back to her mother and Shoaib bolted across the road into the path of the lorry.

The hearing, held in Bury on Tuesday (Jan 8) was told how the lorry driver, Ian Crompton, was unable to avoid hitting Shoaib.

Mr Crompton (33), of Walshaw Road, Bury, said in interviews with police that he saw Shoaib waiting on the pavement on the corner of Killon Street. The boy was facing away from the road.

He added: "As I negotiated the roundabout at the junction of Parkhills Road and Wellington Road to turn into Killon Street, the boy turned anti-clockwise and bolted out into the road.

"I saw him hit the diesel tanks on the cab." PC Mark Littler from Greater Manchester Police's accident and investigation unit confirmed that Shoaib was still running when he hit the side of the truck and then fell under the back wheels.

He added that his investigation into the accident revealed that the driver of the lorry was not responsible and had no time to take evasive action.

Shoaib's mother, Mrs Tabasum Aftab, had earlier told the hearing that her son "never" crossed roads without her.

Recording a verdict of accidental death, deputy coroner Matthew Cox said: "The evidence points to the goods vehicle being driven in a normal manner on a clear and fine afternoon.

"The short length of time Shoaib would have taken to run across the road would have given the lorry driver little time to avoid a collision.

"This is the sort of accident that can and does occur in a split second."

Mr Cox concluded that Shoaib's "momentary lack of attention" resulted in his death.