A campaign has been launched to get escorts back on school buses after an inquest heard how a boy died while trying to jump on board a moving school bus.

The bus driver has been cleared of blame in the accident involving Reece Straight, 12, who died of multiple injuries after falling under the wheel of the double-decker.

An inquest heard that Clacton County High School pupil Reece's actions "contravened all common sense" but the bus driver was equally not to blame. A verdict of accidental death was recorded.

Joyce Hardman, Reece's mother, asked why no-one had seen Reece in trouble sooner. But Mr Weir said: "Reece has tried to get on the bus when he should not have done."

As a result of the tragedy, a campaign was launched to get escorts back on school buses.

Essex County Council reviewed the situation and has said it would wait for the result of the inquest before making any decision.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.