The teacher of a 14-year-old boy who was killed while walking to school has recalled the “horrific” moment she watched him step out into the road.
Harry Parker was just weeks away from his 15th birthday when on November 25, 2022, he was hit by a car at a pedestrian crossing while walking to school.
The car that hit him on Akers Way did not stop.
The teenager, who attended Nova Hreod Academy in Swindon, was airlifted to Bristol Children’s Hospital where he died from his injuries later that day.
Speaking at the conclusion of his inquest more than three years later, Harry’s teacher Ms Claire Preece told coroners she witnessed the fatal crash and rushed to help.
The teacher, who has since left Nova Hreod Academy, had been approaching the crossing in the opposite direction.
She recognised Harry instantly and swerved her car to block oncoming traffic from hitting the boy.
“I was late to school that day, a pre-agreed arrangement with the school, and so I was coming down Akers Way at maybe around 8.20am,” explained Ms Preece, in the final inquest hearing on Wednesday, June 10, 2026.
“As I was approaching the crossing, I remember the lights were green, and everything happened so quickly.
“I remember seeing Harry at the crossing. He looked left, that’s when I registered it was him, and then he took one step out and he was hit by the car instantly.
“I remember the initial shock of him being hit and the car then travelled past me and I could see the driver with two hands on the wheel and just staring forward, continuing.
“I pulled up to the crossing and immediately swerved my car right to block oncoming traffic from him.
“There were other children there, and I remember shouting at them to go and get help.”
Following Harry’s death, a criminal investigation was launched and Jeep driver Ivy Mwangi was charged with causing death by careless driving, causing death by driving while unlicensed and causing death while driving uninsured.
Mwangi had taken the UK driving theory test six times and never passed it.
However, the case was dropped in November 2024 before a trial could take place, due to a lack of evidence.
Ms Mwangi also attended the final inquest hearing.
She told HM Assistant Coroner Mr Nicholas Rheinberg that she believed she had hit a post or another car.
“I just jumped and said ‘what did I hit’ and I looked down and couldn’t see anything, so I just carried on,” she said.
Harry’s parents both attended the inquest and shared a final tribute to their son.
“He was a very well-loved and honest boy and he was full of life and looking forward to the future,” said Adam Parker, Harry’s dad.
“Life will never be the same without him here, as it’s a constant struggle every day to accept that he’s gone.”
His mum, Kelly Parker, added: “He was a very loving child and he lived with me, his father and his three brothers Tom, Joe and Alfie.
“He had a great passion for football and loved spending time with his family.
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“He was his normal cheery self that morning before leaving for school, and we talked about his upcoming birthday before I left for work.”
Harry's death has now been recorded by the coroner as the result of a traumatic brain injury caused by a road traffic collision.
“I’m satisfied that Ms Mwangi probably did not see Harry," concluded HM Assistant Coroner Mr Nicholas Rheinberg.
“It was a tragic mischance that instead of striking Harry a glancing blow, he was struck substantially by the nearside wing and received fatal injury."
In a bid to prevent further tragedy, the Parkers have since campaigned to improve road safety and made significant changes outside Nova Hreod Academy to deter speeding.
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