A VERDICT of accidental death was recorded at an inquest into the death of a two-year-old who fell from a lorry on the A34 in Marton.

Nathan Lowe died of multiple head and neck injuries on March 16 after he fell out of the rear door of the recovery truck his mother was driving.

The toddler had been alone on the back seat of the truck, which had no seatbelt.

Mother Claire Machin, aged 25, of Stadmoreslow Farm, Harriseahead, Stoke-on-Trent, her brother Wayne Sallis, aged 11, and family friend Michelle Thompson from Kidsgrove were sitting in the front cab.

No one noticed Nathan leave his seat but Mrs Thompson saw him fall when the rear door suddenly flew open, and shouted to his mother to stop the van.

The rear door had no safety lock and when the truck was moving it would open easily from the inside when the handle was lifted slightly.

The inquest at Macclesfield Town Hall on Tuesday heard the family was not aware of this, as the door required some force to open when the van was stationary and was not used for getting in and out of the vehicle.

Cheshire Coroner Nicholas Rheinberg said: "It seems likely that Nathan, during the course of the journey, had his hand on the door catch.

"It wouldn't require much movement for him to open the door and the momentum would take Nathan out of the cab."

Nathan was found lying 18 metres away and though passers-by tried to resuscitate him, he was fatally injured.

Mr Rheinberg said: "They set off on an ordinary domestic trip to the market as they had done on many occasions and Nathan was just along for the ride.

"This is a tragic demonstration of how tragic coincidence