Tragic death of Southwater boy (11) who was bullied on school bus

NEW measures are to be introduced by a Horsham school, and communication with school bus operators is to be stepped up by West Sussex County Council, following the tragic death of a Southwater schoolboy who had been the victim of persistent bullying.

By The Newsroom

Published 24th Apr 2007, 15:57 BST

Updated 8th Jun 2018, 04:10 BST

An open verdict was recorded by deputy coroner Dr David Skipp on Thursday in Horsham into the death of Ben Vodden (11) of Andrews Lane, Southwater who was found hanging in his bedroom on December 12 last year.

His father Paul Vodden fought to save him while his mother Caroline Vodden phoned for an ambulance. Paramedics were at the scene within minutes but were unable to save Ben.

Mrs Vodden told the inquest that her son had been the victim of persistent bullying from other Tanbridge House School pupils on the bus, and in particular from its driver, Mr Brian McCullough. She and her husband had complained to the school about the driver, and had talked with Ben about making other travel plans.

But in the end they had decided to carry on using the 625 bus route and see if things improved.

For full report see West Sussex Gazette April 25