A 10-year-old girl died after she was accidentally hit by an ambulance while on her way to buy sweets, an inquest has heard.

Shaniqua Loftman-Smith was rushed to hospital with serious head injuries following the tragic incident in Bulwell, Nottingham on December 22.

Heartbroken mum Kerry Smith said she lived ‘every parent’s nightmare’ after her daughter passed away at Queen’s Medical Centre eight days later.

Shaniqua had headed out to buy sweets and popcorn from a shop when she was struck by the vehicle on Low Wood Road.

Ambulance driver Paul Adcock had turned on the flashing blue lights of the vehicle but did not sound its sirens as he rushed to an emergency callout, Nottingham Coroner’s Court heard.

He was driving at around 52mph which is above the advisory limit set by East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS).

Mr Adcock was not aware the speed limit had been reduced from 40mph to 30mph, the inquest heard.

Although he should have been aware of the new speed limit, his speed was appropriate for the circumstances of the emergency, assistant coroner Laurinda Bower said on Wednesday. 

Ms Bower concluded the collision was accidental, saying neither party could have avoided the crash once Shaniqua stepped into the road.

She said: ‘I am satisfied that at the point Shaniqua entered the carriageway she was not aware she was placing herself in imminent collision with the approaching ambulance.

‘I find Shaniqua entered the carriageway at speed; by that I mean running or moving quickly.’

The coroner added that she planned to write to highways authorities after witnesses told her lighting along the stretch of the carriageway was especially dim.

Shaniqua’s mother Kerry paid tribute to her ‘loving, caring child’ in an emotional statement.

She said: ‘On December 22, 2019 I received a call – every parent’s worst nightmare.

‘From the moment of the phone call my heart went numb. I arrived at the hospital before my child, the wait felt forever. I didn’t leave my child’s side for the eight days she continued to fight. 

‘Shaniqua is a well-known, loving, caring child. Shaniqua has a little brother who doesn’t understand what has happened and has left a massive impact on his life.

‘He is receiving on-going support. The pain of losing a child is like no other. People say it gets easier but it hurts more every day.

‘Not hearing your child’s voice and not seeing her beautiful smile breaks my heart.

‘A massive part of my life has been snatched away from me and left a big impact on a lot of people.’

She added: ’I would like to thank all the people in the community that pulled together to support me and my family.

‘I would like to thank all of the people who donated on the go fund me page and helped me give my child the most beautiful send-off.

‘I have no further comment at this moment in time and I ask for me and
my family to be left privacy.’

PC Dan Butler, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: ‘Our thoughts are with
the family and I’m glad we have been able to support them through this
difficult time.’

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