Students offered counselling after boy's death
Students at an Exeter school mourning the loss of one of its pupils have been offered grief counselling.
Emergency services were called to Topsham Road near Countess Wear at 3.10pm on Thursday 28 August, after a collision between Leo Gregory, from Exeter, and a skip lorry at the pedestrian crossing.
Leo sustained serious injuries and was taken to Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital where he was pronounced deceased shortly after arrival.
The lorry driver was uninjured.
The road was closed for five hours while serious collision investigators carried out an examination of the scene.
Today the headteacher of St James School, Moira Marder, said measures had been put in place to offer Leo's fellow students as much support as they needed.
She told The Exeter Daily: "We have trained grief counsellors employed by the school to support students. The Educational Psychologist have been in school and we will be advising parents how to deal with grief and feelings of loss that might occur
"When the time is right we will be organising a fitting memorial for this wonderful lad but as you can imagine feelings are very raw at the moment and the family is in a terrible state."
Earlier this week the headteacher paid a glowing tribute to Leo.
She said: "St James School is devastated to hear of the loss of Leo Gregory. He was a wonderful young man who was right at the heart of St James community.
"Staff have commented on how he radiated happiness and warmth. A hugely talented student, he played a lead role, John, in our summer production of Peter Pan. He triumphed at this, as at so many aspects of school life.
"Popular with both staff and students, Leo was the type of child every teacher wants to teach and he had his own unique personality and style. We are heartbroken by his loss."
CCTV footage from the scene of the accident shows a cyclist cycling close to the collision just after it has occurred.
This cyclist travels from Countess Wear roundabout direction, crosses Topsham road between the scene & the roundabout onto the south side of Topsham road, then cycles away from the roundabout towards Topsham. The cyclist appears to be wearing a dark top and white trousers.
Officers are keen to speak to the cyclist as a potential witness who may have information.
Police are appealing to the cyclist to contact them on 101 quoting incident number 480 of 28th August.
School mourns third death in 12 months
http://www.theexeterdaily.co.uk/news/school-mourns-third-death-12-months
