Andrea Gada's Eastbourne crash death 'unavoidable'

A girl who was hit by a car may have stepped into the road in a rush to make Christmas cards for her friends, an inquest into her death heard.

Five-year-old Andrea Gada died the day after the crash in Downland Close, Eastbourne, on 17 December.

Her father Wellington Gada told the inquest in Eastbourne she stepped into the path of a vehicle as he walked her home from school.

The Kent Police accident report concluded the crash was "unavoidable".

Asked why she may have walked into the road, Mr Gada said he believed she may have been in a hurry to get home to make Christmas cards for her friends.

East Sussex coroner Alan Craze recorded a verdict of death from a road traffic collision.

"This was an appalling, horrifying tragedy," he said.

Andrea's funeral was postponed for several weeks while campaigners fought for her grandparents and aunt from Zimbabwe to be allowed temporary visas so they could attend.

Scores of people attended the service at Kings Church in Hampden Park, Eastbourne, on 18 February.