Boy's scaffolding death sparks police HGV operation

The death of a child who was struck by an unsecured scaffolding board has sparked a Sussex Police campaign

The death of an 11-year-old boy who was struck by an unsecured scaffolding board has motivated a Sussex Police awareness campaign.

Harry Dennis was travelling as a passenger in his father's car in Hooe, East Sussex, when he was struck by the loose scaffolding board in 2022.

Maria Dennis has worked with police since her son's death to raise awareness of the risks and has called on the government to consider changing the law to mitigate the dangers.

Ms Dennis attended a police operation on Friday which saw officers speak with commercial vehicle users about the importance of load security.

PC Barry Freeman said he had seen better awareness since annual checks on HGVs began last year

PC Barry Freeman said there had been five "load security fatalities" in the last five years.

"One a year doesn't sound a lot, but actually it is when it's someone's life," he said.

While the fatalities pushed Sussex Police to prioritise the issue, PC Freeman said that Harry's death was the "most poignant".

"That was where we started really focusing on this as an area of work," he added.

The national operation, undertaken by another 15 forces, saw Sussex Police units deployed to the A23.

Officers saw an array of unsecured equipment in vehicles, including loose timber, buckets, scaffold poles, planks and ladders, the force said.

Harry Dennis was travelling in his father's car when he was struck by the loose scaffolding board

Ms Dennis said it amazed her that people could drive believing that this was acceptable.

She said: "[Loose items are] just thrown on the back - you could move them with one finger."

While Ms Dennis accepted that drivers never intended harm, she said a "lack of awareness" and "laziness" could have the worst possible consequences.

She is petitioning for the government to consider broadening the need for a Driver Certificate of Professional Competence and operator licence to large goods vehicles (LGVs) that weigh 3.5 tonnes (3,500kg) and below.

"We need to do it for Harry. He's my drive, he's my passion, he's the fire in my belly," Ms Dennis added.

The Department for Transport previously said it had met with Harry's family and would engage with those impacted to better inform its prevention efforts.

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