A TRAGIC 12-year-old boy who appeared on Benefits Street died after being knocked off his bike, an inquest heard today.
Riley Young-Hudson had cycled into the path of a blue Audi, which was unable to stop in time, in Stockton-on-Tees.
He was rushed to Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle but died three days later on April 1, Teesside Coroner’s Court heard.
The youngster, who appeared in Benefits Street five years ago with gran Julie Young, “either failed to see the approaching Audi or misjudged its close proximity”, it was said.
An accident report said no action was taken against the male driver, with police “satisfied he was not blameworthy for the collision”.
Riley’s devastated mum Louise Jenkins has now paid tribute to the youngster, who was “always on his phone” or playing computer games like Roblox.
We were really close. I used to say wherever I went, he would sniff me out. He was my sidekick.
Mum Louise Jenkins
She told Teesside Live: “He was a character – a funny, kind, lovable boy. He loved babies and little kids – but if he was in a mood, he wasn’t someone to get on the wrong side of.
“We were really close. I used to say wherever I went, he would sniff me out. He was my sidekick.”
Louise, who gave birth to Riley when she was 15, added: “As soon as I saw him on the scan, it was instant love.”
On the day of the accident, Riley was cycling to his dad Anthony’s house in Tilery – meaning he had to cross the bypass.
Louise is now campaigning for railings to be erected at the spot he crossed the road to stop schoolchildren easily being able to walk out on the busy carriageway.
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She said: “Since it happened, every time I see a kid on a bike who looks like they might go into the road, I get palpitations and start sweating and shaking.
“If they’d been there, it wouldn’t have happened because he couldn’t have got on to the road.
“I want to call them Riley’s Railings as a tribute to him.”
