A TEENAGER was killed after he ran in front of a car on a dual carriageway as he attempted to rescue his dog, an inquest has heard.Luca Baccarini,14, died from multiple injuries after the collision with a Kia Picanto on the A131 Great Leighs bypass in October last year.

A TEENAGER was killed after he ran in front of a car on a dual carriageway as he attempted to rescue his dog, an inquest has heard.

Luca Baccarini,14, died from multiple injuries after the collision with a Kia Picanto on the A131 Great Leighs bypass in October last year.

Essex Coroner's Court was told yesterday that since the road was built there have been problems with youngsters going on to it and police called for safety fencing around the bridges which cross it.

Rachel Pack, the driver of the car involved in the fatal collision, fought back tears as her statement was read out.

She had been heading out for the evening with her boyfriend, David Shaw, when she saw four boys running down the grass next to a bridge.

She described how Luca, who had crossed to the central reservation, jumped the barrier not seeming to realise the car was there, but despite braking she was unavailable to avoid hitting him.

Tracy Smith was a passenger in a Ford Fiesta heading in the opposite direction and saw the collision just before 6pm.

She described the four boys heading down an embankment before the pet ran on to the carriageway.

She thought Luca, who lived at Brick Barns, Great Leighs, had managed to get hold of the dog but looked back to see the collision and the teenager being thrown into the air.

Pc Stephen Perrett, of Essex Police, said there was nothing Miss Pack could have done to avoid the teenager.

He said: “Luca Baccarini ran into her path, his attention diverted to the safety of his dog and not the oncoming traffic.”

Inspector Keith Whiting, of Chelmsford road policing unit, said the lack of safety fencing on the bridges had been reported to the Essex County Council.

“It is an ongoing problem with people walking on the carriageway since the road was built.

“I have asked to see if we can find a solution to make it less likely that children will congregate at the bridges.”

After Luca's death, tissue from his body was donated and the inquest was told it had benefited “quite a few” people.

Afterwards Luca's mother, Kim, said she had spoken to Miss Pack and did not blame her in anyway for the accident.

Essex Coroner Caroline Beasley-Murray recorded a verdict of accidental death.

A spokesman for Essex County Council said: “This was a very tragic accident and our thoughts are with the family at this time.

“We will consider any recommendations made to us following the inquest and we will investigate any measures which can be taken to prevent such a tragedy in the future.”