A BLACKWOOD boy died after his bike was in collision with a bus, an inquest heard yesterday.

At Newport Coroner’s Court, Gwent's Deputy Coroner Wendy James ruled Luke Matthews' death was accidental.

The inquest found the eight-year-old died as a result of head injuries sustained after the bike he was riding was in a collision with a Stagecoach bus on Emlyn Terrace in Talywain.

Luke was taken to Newport’s Royal Gwent Hospital after the incident at 3pm on April 8 this year, but died from his injuries shortly afterwards.

The inquest was told that Luke, who lived in Blackwood with his mother, was staying with his father Julian Matthews and his wife Emma at their home in Talywain during the Easter holiday along with his identical twin brother Owen and older brother Sean.

At the time of the incident, Luke was cycling to his father’s home on Green Way, along Emlyn Terrace, from Fairfield football pitch where he had been out playing.

Giving evidence at the inquest, Luke’s mother, Janet Matthews said that although Luke had good knowledge of road safety, he was not used to playing out near traffic.

In a statement, the bus driver, Lisa Marie Edwards, said she was driving the x24 from Newport to Blaenavon through Talywain when the collision happened.

Ms Edwards confirmed that she had driven these buses on many occasions and was very familiar with the route.

In a statement, Ms Edwards said she felt an impact and stopped the bus, and then saw Luke lying on the ground.

At the inquest PC Dean Burnett from the collision investigation unit said evidence proved that the bus’ speed was not an issue in the collision.

He said: “There is no evidence to suggest that the bus’ speed was excessive and was well within the 30mph speed limit.”

Concluding the inquest, Ms James said: “I’m satisfied no blame can be attributed to the bus driver.

“As Luke waited on the pavement to cross the road it could have been he simply didn’t see the bus approaching from his right-hand side.”