Girl, 10, hit by car on sports pitch died from head injuries
A 10-year-old girl who was hit by a car on a sports pitch during a football training session died from head injuries, an inquest has heard.
Manchester United fan Poppy Atkinson died at Kendal Rugby Union Club in Cumbria after a BMW i4 crashed through fencing and landed on the field on March 5. Another girl was also injured.
Kirsty Gomersal, the acting coroner for Cumbria, opened and adjourned the inquest into the death of Poppy, whose funeral took place this week in her home town of Kendal.
Ms Gomersal said a post mortem found Poppy died from head injuries.
Ben and Clare Atkinson, Poppy's parents, did not attend the short hearing, but were represented by Emily Taylor, their solicitor.
Poppy, who played with the under-12s team at Kendal United and at county level, was training with other football teams when the incident took place.
Cockermouth Coroner's Court heard Poppy's death was confirmed by paramedics at 5.12pm.
PC Curtis Westworth attended the Royal Lancashire Infirmary with Poppy's parents the following day, where they formally identified their daughter's body.
Cumbria Police are continuing to investigate the incident after a 40-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. He was later released from custody.
'The brief circumstances of Poppy's death are well publicised,' Ms Gomersal said. 'Poppy was struck by a car during football training at the Kendal Rugby Union Club, in Kendal, on 5 March, 2025. Her death was confirmed by paramedics at 17.12.'
She said: 'I understand police have ongoing enquiries into her death and it is my judgement that I exercise my discretion to suspend the investigation and inquest into Poppy's death until the conclusion of the police enquiries.'
Addressing Ms Taylor, the coroner asked the solicitor to pass on her condolences to the young footballer's parents.
Outside court, Ms Taylor said: 'I am representing the family as regards to the coronial and civil proceeding, but obviously we know nothing more at this stage.'
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