Mum killed in school-run crash distracted ‘watching Love Island on phone’
A mum who died in a car crash on the school run could have been distracted watching Love Island on her phone, an inquest has heard.
Charlotte Buesden’s Nissan Qashqai collided with a HGV lorry after veering into traffic – leaving the driver with no chance to avoid her.
The 28-year-old dropped off her son at school moments before the tragedy happened in Kemsley, in Sittingbourne, Kent.
Ms Buesden’s phone was found on the dashboard showing an error message displaying on the ITV Hub app, Kent and Medway Coroner’s Court heard.
The phone had disconnected from an episode of Love Island – but there was no evidence of her sending messages or using data before the crash, Detective Constable Bob Fursey told the inquest.
DC Fursey added: ‘It is suggested she may have been distracted by watching Love Island by looking at or reaching for her phone.
‘The reason for the loss of control from Ms Buesden’s car is not explained, but she was distracted from steering, and this most likely came from being distracted by her phone.’
A motorist driving two cars behind Ms Buesden described seeing the car begin to ‘veer into the wrong lane’.
Dashcam footage from the lorry appeared to show Ms Buesden looking in the direction and extending her arm where the phone would have been mounted, said forensic collision officer, PC Duncan Swallow.
Although the footage was poor, it appeared she could have been distracted by her phone, the officer said.
Ms Buesden, from Sheppey, Kent, suffered a severe skull fracture in the accident, on August 23 around 7.30am.
There were no weather conditions that could have contributed to the accident.
Coroner Bina Patel ruled the death was caused by a road traffic collision.
Dozens of floral tributes and messages have been laid in memory of Ms Buesden.
One friend described her as an ‘amazing mummy’, adding: ‘You are too young, too beautiful and too kind to be gone.’
‘I so wish we had more time together, more laughs, jokes, and love but it’s been so cruelly taken away.
‘I will never forget you and I will love you always.’
A Facebook page has also been dedicated to honouring her memory.
It reads: ‘We hope that people who love Charlotte will find comfort in visiting her profile to remember and celebrate her life.’
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