Birmingham girl died after mum crashed into tree

Jan 4 2008 By Catherine Lillington, Birmingham Mail

A SIX-year-old girl died from a serious head injury after the car her mum was driving swerved and hit a tree, an inquest heard.

Kaya Wynter, from Erdington, suffered a severe traumatic brain injury when her mum lost control of the car and it went into the central reservation along Chester Road.

Despite every effort to save her, Kaya's injuries were so serious there was no chance of recovery and she died at Birmingham Children's Hospital last May.

Coroner Aidan Cotter recorded a verdict that Kaya died as a result of a road traffic accident.

In giving brief evidence, Kaya's mum, Michelle Wynter, sobbed as she recalled the events leading up to the accident, six days earlier.

She told the hearing at Birmingham Coroner's Court yesterdayThurs: "I remember talking to my daughter. I remember seeing a car brake suddenly in front. I lost control of the car which is when it hit the tree."

The inquest heard a silver Ford Focus in front of the family's black Kia Picanto pulled in to a parking space.

Pc Kevin Gubbins said the accident happened after Michelle Wynter turned around to speak to her daughter and as she faced forward she swerved to the right. Michelle Bowie, who was travelling behind the Kia, said she saw it swerve to avoid the car parking quickly.

She said: "I couldn't believe what I saw. I stopped my car, my two children were in the back at the time and I ran towards the car that hit the tree and I witnessed the driver fall out of the car.

"She seemed unconscious at the time and I dialled 999."

Det Insp Jon Thursfield told the inquest no action was being taken against Michelle Wynter or the driver of the Focus, Julie Davies.