Parents of Gosport boy Leo Burton who died in bike accident campaign for law change

THE parents of an eight-year-old boy who tragically died after falling off his bike are campaigning to get his death properly recorded.
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Leo Burton, who lived in St John’s Square, Gosport, died in June 2018 from a head injury sustained after falling off his bike.

He went to bed after the accident but never woke up, with a coroner confirming significant acute and traumatic brain injury that wouldn’t have even been picked up by hospital staff.

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Gosport youngster died after falling off his bike and hitting his head, inquest ...
Tributes flooded in for eight-year-old Leo BurtonTributes flooded in for eight-year-old Leo Burton
Tributes flooded in for eight-year-old Leo Burton
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But Leo’s death is not recorded by the Department for Transport, since his bike was the only vehicle involved and the police were not called.

The charity says if hospital statistics were used, the number of recorded deaths from bicycle accidents could double.

Now, parents Natalie and Tom are campaigning for the law to be changed, so that deaths like Leo’s appear as part of official transport statistics.

To do this, they have teamed up with the Cycle-Smart Foundation, a charity in Reading.

Tributes flooded in for eight-year-old Leo Burton after his death. Picture: Sarah Standing (180537-8131)Tributes flooded in for eight-year-old Leo Burton after his death. Picture: Sarah Standing (180537-8131)
Tributes flooded in for eight-year-old Leo Burton after his death. Picture: Sarah Standing (180537-8131)
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Chief executive Angela Lee said: ‘When Leo’s parents approached us and explained what happened it really hit me hard – you just can’t imagine being in their position.

‘Currently, the transport deaths that are published come from police data, but doesn’t include any figures from hospitals.

‘His death shouldn’t be lost, but serve as a key reminder about cycle safety. That is why we are pushing for this change.’

Following Leo’s death, the fence in St John’s Square was covered in tributes to a boy who was ‘always smiling’ and hated seeing other people upset.

Leo Burton with his mum, dad and sister Courtney. Picture: SuppliedLeo Burton with his mum, dad and sister Courtney. Picture: Supplied
Leo Burton with his mum, dad and sister Courtney. Picture: Supplied
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Gosport MP Caroline Dinenage is also standing alongside the family to get the change through parliament.

She said: ‘We have written to the minister on behalf of the family – under current rules this type of dreadful incident wouldn’t be recorded as it’s not classed as a collision.’

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