THE death of a 17-year-old mother was the result of a tragic accident, an inquest has been told.

Michaela Whittaker, of Castle Road, Chatham, died from head injuries when she was struck hit by a lorry while crossing Anthonys Way, Strood, on February 2 this year.

The mother of 10-month-old Levi had been visiting friends who worked on Medway City Estate.

Touching messages and constantly renewed floral tributes from her family and friends, still mark the spot close to where she died.

She had shortly before set up home with her boyfriend and had accepted his proposal of marriage just five days before she was killed. She was planning to announce the news to her family on St Valentine’s Day, which, tragically, became the day of her funeral.

The inquest, on Thursday, heard how Michaela had peered around a lorry to see if it was safe to cross the road, at around 1.30pm. She had seen a lorry from the Cleanaway waste management company approaching, but made a decision to run for it, according to witnesses. She died later in Medway Maritime Hospital, from multiple head injuries.

Michael Lacey, who was a soldier at the time of the accident, was sitting in a lorry.

He told the hearing: “I saw her looking out around my lorry and then she stepped back because she saw one coming up the road.

“Like a scared rabbit, she seemed to panic and made a mad dash out into the road.

“The lorry skidded as it slammed on its brakes but it was too late.”

Mid and North Kent Coroner Roger Sykes, praised Mr Lacey for his efforts to give first aid to Michaela. He said: “I commend you for helping her. You did what you could in a very difficult situation. I thank you on behalf of the court.”

Mark Lamb, from the Serious Collision Unit at Kent police, explained how, from investigations at the scene, the lorry driver, Martin Ward, was driving at about 28 miles per hour.

He said: “This was a tragic accident and there was nothing Mr Ward could have done about it.”

Mr Ward said: “I saw a girl looking out from in front of a lorry. We made eye contact so I carried on going. She then ran out and I slammed on my brakes but I hit her.”