I found dying child hit by fair's rollercoaster

A fairground worker today told of the moment he saw a dying two-year-old boy lying "motionless" after being hit by a rollercoaster.

Erjon Hyseni suffered a fatal head injury after being struck by the Go-Gator ride at a funfair on Ducketts Common in Wood Green in May 2009.

Matthew Cocks, a ride operator at the fairground, was one of the first to find the toddler lying on his back near the roller coaster after hearing a scream as he worked on another ride. He told an inquest at North London coroner's court: "I heard a scream, a very loud, shrill scream. I realised something was wrong, I hit the emergency button on my ride.

"I ran over to the Go-Gator to see what happened. I saw a young child lying on the ground with blood coming out of his ears, motionless. I went to get help."

The toddler was taken to hospital by ambulance with severe injuries but was pronounced dead soon after arrival, with police called shortly afterwards.

Detective Chief Inspector Mark Young, who was investigating the death, told the inquest that the Go-Gator ride was a "juvenile roller coaster".

The jury were shown footage of the carriages, which have a large green alligator head on the front, going round the track.Mr Young said CCTV footage from six cameras surrounding the ride was seized.

Evidence at the inquest is due to finish on Friday, with fairground staff, witnesses and health and safety officials all set to speak.

Speaking shortly after the accident in May 2009, residents said they heard the frantic shouts and screams of the child's mother and father as their son lay on the grass by the roller coaster. Graham Harper, who lives opposite the fairground, said: "I heard shouting and about 10 security guards were opening all the barriers trying to get to the child."

The hearing continues.