Girl, 3, killed after Hermes delivery van reversed over her while mum watched in horror
A three-year-old girl was killed after a Hermes delivery driver reversed over her
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A three-year-old girl was killed after a Hermes delivery driver reversed over her while her mum watched on in horror, an inquest heard.
Milliee-Ann McKellar was playing on her scooter in a cul-de-sac in Calne, Wiltshire when she was struck by a van.
The youngster was visiting her grandmother in March 2021 when the Mercedes van's wheels crushed her.
Emergency services were called to the scene but Milliee-Ann was pronounced dead on their arrival.
Milliee-Ann McKellar was playing on her scooter when she was struck by a van
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The toddler was stood in the blind spot as the van began to reverse, the court heard.
Her mum, Tanzin Wells was sat in the front garden with her mum Glynis Smith when Sergi Tomaiaya, their usual delivery driver, arrived.
Smith said in an interview with police that courier Tomaiaya looked "knackered, drawn out and tired" as he drove past.
Tomaiaya dropped off a parcel before parking "half on and half off the pavement" and then moving to drop off three more deliveries.
The driver, who was 29 at the time, then went back to the van before reversing.
The inquest heard that the rear-view camera was located on the number plate of the vehicle and only covers 90 per cent of back view so wouldn't have picked up Milliee-Ann.
A shocked neighbour sitting with the family "jumped up" before the group ran over to the young girl.
In a statement read to the court, another neighbour who witnessed the incident said: "As the driver got back into his van, she made an attempt to get back on the pavement.
"She didn't stand a chance and the back and front near side wheels ran her over.
"When I took her head in my hands, it literally felt like I was holding her together."
A shocked neighbour sitting with the family "jumped up" before the group ran over to the young girl
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Tomaiaya told officers he "felt something" as he reversed but didn't see anything until a small scooter came into view from the front of the van.
A police investigation into Milliee-Ann's death found that due to her age she "failed to identify the danger the van posed to her".
Her mum paid tribute to her "beautiful little angel" after the inquest, and 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 will forever be in our hearts.
"We all will treasure the memories we had with you we love you so much."