A SCHOOLGIRL killed in an accident on her way home from school was riding a dangerous and unfit bicycle, an inquest was told.

Ty-Ree Partridge’s bicycle had one rear brake pad missing and a loose wheel. It was due to be fixed when the accident happened.

The coroner today urged parents and schools to make sure children know how to look after their bikes.

Eyewitnesses recall seeing her wobble before she fell into the path of a lorry in Copenhagen Drive, Abingdon, in July last year.

The 11-year-old from Gibson Close, Abingdon, a Larkmead School pupil, was wearing a helmet, but died of severe head injuries the next day.

Last night, assistant deputy coroner Richard Whittington called on schools and parents to teach children basic bike maintenance.

At the inquest into her death, Thames Valley Police vehicle examiner Philip Balderstone said Ty-Ree’s pink mountain bike was in a dangerous condition and the worst he had seen for years.

He said: “I actually rode the bicycle and as you rode it the rear wheel could be felt to be moving constantly.

“The rear wheel appeared to be loose.

“You could get hold of the rear wheel and move it left to right, up and down — there was 15mm of movement to the rear wheel.

“The rider would be aware of this.”

Noticing it was dangerous, Ty-Ree’s mother’s partner, James Turner, of West St Helen Street, Abingdon, said he told her not to ride it to school — and had planned to repair it at the weekend.

Ty-Ree had stayed late at school the night of the accident to attend a science club and was riding home with a friend when the accident happened.

The court was told the boy she was riding with heard Ty-Ree shout out moments before the accident.

Lorry driver Roy Beer said: “She was setting off and lost her footing.

“I thought to myself ‘gosh, she will fall off and hurt herself in a minute’, as I went past I heard a thud and my mind was ‘oh God, no’ — another second she would have missed me.

“Her foot definitely slipped.”

Recording a narrative verdict, Dr Whittington said: “Ty-Ree was a pedal cyclist riding her bicycle, which was in a very poor state of maintenance, when she wobbled and fell into the path of a passing heavy goods vehicle.

“It is of paramount importance those which have care and responsibility for children who use bicycles that those bicycles are examined and checked at regular intervals.

“Teachers and headmasters and those responsible should undertake some instruction for children to be responsible for their vehicles — and this applies to parents.”

Speaking after the inquest, Larkmead School headteacher Chris Harris said: “We at school do emphasise to our students the importance of their bicycles being in good working order and of them wearing protective equipment.

“Ty-Ree’s tragic death is something that is still felt by the school, as it is her family.

“Our thoughts are with her family at this particular time.”