A boxing champion struck and killed by a HGV driver after drunkenly lying down in the road was mistaken for a ‘bin bag’, an inquest heard.
Leo Mountain, a North West Region boxing champion from Morecambe, had been out drinking with friends over the Easter bank holiday before the tragic crash on April 20.
The 18-year-old, who was found to have ‘high levels of alcohol in his system,’ was put into a taxi by his friends.
But after leaving the taxi and walking around Morecambe, Leo found his way to the A623 Bay Gateway and was lying in the road when he was struck, the Preston Coroner’s Court heard.
The lorry driver, who was travelling at the speed limit of 40 mph, saw what looked like a ‘black bin bag’ in the road around one to two seconds before he hit it.
Dashcam footage confirmed that there was not enough time to recognise the obstacle and divert from it.
Leo was pronounced dead at the scene due to multiple trauma from a road traffic collision, area coroner Emma Mather concluded.
She said: ‘This is an unbelievably tragic case and I am so sorry to his family.
Leo Mountain (pictured with his dad) became North West regional boxing champion last year
Leo was pronounced dead at the scene due to multiple trauma from a road traffic collision, area coroner Emma Mather concluded
After his death in April, Leo’s mum paid tribute to the teenager, who she described as a ‘caring, beautiful boy’
‘I can’t quite imagine the loss his family must be feeling right now, he sounds like a lovely young man.
‘This has had a significant impact on the driver of the lorry too.
‘Leo was lying in the middle of a traffic lane in the early hours of April 20 when he was fatally struck by a lorry.
‘It’s not possible to determine the exact circumstances at the time of death, and Leo had high levels of alcohol in his system.
‘I do not believe that there was any opportunity to avoid the collision, there was only one to two seconds from seeing something in the road.’
After his death in April, Leo’s mum paid tribute to the teenager, who she described as a ‘caring, beautiful boy’.
She said: ‘It is with massively heavy hearts that we: Lee, Lewis, Olivia and myself let people know that our youngest has decided to stay 18 forever.
‘Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for every single message and call, you’ll never know what it means.
‘Our boy was the most handsome, funny, dopy, hardworking, caring, beautiful boy. Sleep tight our bambino.’
The youngster had been receiving rave reviews in the boxing world for his progress over recent times before his tragic passing.
Coastal Amateur Boxing Club said Leo ‘had a champion’s heart in and out the ring’.
Coastal Amateur Boxing Club paid a heartfelt tribute to Mountain after the devastating news
Following his death, they posted on Facebook saying: ‘Leo was a fantastic young man, an absolute credit to himself and his family.
‘Every boxer, coach and supporter had nothing but love for Leo, he was one of those people you couldn’t help but love.
‘He had an infectious personality, brought laughter and light to every room.
‘In boxing terms, Leo most recently became a North West Region champion, which we know he, his family and the club took great pride in.
‘He was a very talented boxer, had a great attitude and loved to box.
‘Leo had a champions heart in and out the ring.
‘To think his cheeky smile, his jokes and his presence won’t be seen any longer is just unthinkable, he had so much to offer this world, his journey had only just started.
‘Leo, you are a son, grandson, brother, friend, gentleman, fighter and a boxer.
‘You’re respected by many, loved by many and….a CHAMPION.
‘Forever in our hearts and minds, you’ll always be missed.’