Siblings' e-scooter deaths move coroner to tears

A coroner fought back tears as she revisited the "absolutely tragic" deaths of a teenager and his nine-year-old sister in an e-scooter crash.

Roman Casselden, 16, and Darcie were killed in a hit-and-run in Pitsea, near Basildon, Essex, on 1 February 2025.

While not responsible for causing the collision, the Audi driver who struck them was later prosecuted for fleeing the scene.

"As a mum, I can't understand what you're going through and how you're going to deal with this," said area coroner Michelle Brown, as she concluded an inquest in Chelmsford.

Becoming tearful, she added: "I don't often get upset."

Roman and Darcie, who went to Briscoe Primary School, both suffered traumatic head injuries in the crash at about 18:25 GMT.

They were riding a privately owned e-scooter and pulled out in front of a car in Ashlyns, close to the Stokefelde junction.

In a statement read to Essex Coroner's Court, a witness described seeing the car failing to dodge the children before a "dust cloud" emerged.

Audi driver Deimante Ziobryte, 21, of Merrivale in Benfleet, then drove off and did not call an ambulance. She was given a suspended prison sentence in May.

It was agreed she could not have avoided Roman and Darcie, an earlier court hearing was told.

The children died at the scene and had to be identified by their mother, Emma Keeling, the inquest heard.

Addressing her, Brown said: "They were unsurvivable injuries. There was nothing that could've been done."

The coroner ruled Roman and Darcie died in a road traffic collision, calling it "absolutely tragic".

"I just want to thank you all for your dignity and how you have presented yourself. I don't know how you've done it," Brown told the family.

"Is it alright if I come and give you a hug?"

Keeling embraced her and laughed as she described Darcie as "a proper little madam".

She previously said Roman had a "heart of gold" and left a legacy of "selflessness, compassion and an unwavering belief in the goodness of people".

Do you have a story suggestion for Essex? Contact us below.

Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.