A CORONER described the police as "a shambles" after the wrong officer was sent to an inquest into the death of a teenager.

The devastated family of Kyle Hull, who died after falling through the roof of Darlington Auction Mart in April, are still waiting for closure after the coroner was forced to adjourn the hearing.

Kyle suffered severe injuries in the fall and died several days later after failing to recover from brain surgery.

The Northern Echo:
REMEMBERED: Friends of Kyle Hull release balloons in his memory at 4Motion skate park in Darlington earlier this year. Picture: STUART BOULTON

His family had expected to get answers about the 15-year-old’s death at an inquest this afternoon (Wednesday, August 26) but branded the hearing "a disgrace" when the coroner halted proceedings because Durham police sent an officer who had never visited the scene to give evidence.

Detective Sergeant Sarah Manser began outlining the incident at Crook Civic Centre.

She said police received a report of children playing in the mart at 8.05pm on Tuesday, April 7, when it was closed.

Just 20 minutes later the emergency services took another call stating that a boy had fallen through the roof.

Kyle was found lying on the ground of the market arena and rushed to James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough, where he died on April 12 after failing to regain consciousness after brain surgery.

Sgt Manser said Kyle had been playing with five friends on the day of the tragedy and went on the roof to find them, wrongly believing they were hiding up there.

She said: “There was a rule within the group that they don’t go up on the roof due to them knowing how dangerous it is, however unfortunately on that day Kyle went up on the roof.”

After the boys heard a crack they kicked through the roof to reach Kyle and used a mobile phone to call for help.

When Coroner Andrew Tweddle referred Det Sgt Manser to photographs of the scene she struggled to answer some of his questions.

He then asked if she had visited the scene and she said she had not and her colleague who had was on annual leave.

Mr Tweddle said: “I rely on the police to tell me what is going on.

“I think this is a shambles frankly.”

He told Kyle’s family and the mart owner, Andrew Armstrong, he would hear no more evidence until he could get a clear picture of what happened.

He said his instructions to police were that he would call an officer who attended the scene and whichever of two investigating officers was in charge.

He said: “I have lots of photos but need someone to paint a picture for me.

“I’m very sorry about the situation, it is an unsatisfactory situation to be in.

“We will make sure it is far more professional next time.”

Kyle’s mother Michele had been anxious all week about attending the hearing and was upset it had not concluded and given her the closure she hoped for.

Grandmother Deborah Thompson said: “We’re disgusted it wasn’t dealt with properly.

“Everything should have been correct before dragging us here and putting us through this.”

Detective Superintendent Victoria Fuller said: “I am very disappointed in the outcome of today’s inquest, particularly as Kyle’s family have not had the answers that they deserve.

“I can reassure both Kyle’s family and the coroner that I will take steps to find out why we were unable to provide full details today and to ensure we are in a position to do so when the inquest reconvenes.”

Since Kyle’s death, a memorial to the teenager has been unveiled at the skate park in Darlington’s South Park.

There are plans to move the market from Clifton Road, in the town centre, to the outskirts of Darlington.