AN inquest has been opened into the death of a 12-year-old boy in a tragic South Cumbria farm quad bike accident.

Harvey Connor sadly died four days after his birthday, Cockermouth Coroners’ Court was told on Thursday morning. 

Ms Margaret Taylor, one of His Majesty’s coroners for Cumbria, outlined some brief circumstances into the death of Harvey, who lived at a farm near Greenodd.

This followed an incident at a neighbouring farm, at Lowick Green, on 12 August this year.

On that date Harvey had been with his stepfather, who was on a quad bike with the youngster sat in front of him, noted the coroner.

His stepfather had stopped and turned the key to switch off the engine before walking over to unravel an electric fence.

“Harvey had turned the key and started the engine,” said Ms Taylor. “Harvey had gone around about a bus length away in the right direction. Harvey had come off the bike and the bike rolled over Harvey.”

The stepfather then went over to the youngster. “He scooped him up and placed him on his knees, and he’d driven him on the quad bike to his mother’s address,” said the coroner.

“I have been given a cause of death due to a head injury which was caused during a quad bike accident.”

In light of the circumstances she had been offered, Ms Taylor concluded that it would be necessary to hold a full inquest into Harvey’s death.

Evidence of identification was accepted during today’s short hearing, which was formally opened and adjourned to a provisional date of 23 January, 2025.