Father of girl, 7, who died in quad bike crash could face criminal charges

Officers said they were examining the "culpability" of "all parties" involved in the death of Elizabeth Cooke on Boxing Day.

The youngster and her 10-year-old brother Jack were riding petrol-engined quad bikes behind their father Gary's Range Rover near the family home in Blackmore, Essex when the youngster had a head-on collision with another Range Rover driven by a 28-year-old woman.

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Uder current laws, it is illegal for anyone under 16 to ride such bikes on a public road.

The woman, who has not been named, was initially arrested on suspicion of causing death by careless driving while unfit through drink or drugs.

Police today said she would not be charged with that offence but could instead be charged with careless driving.

The girl's father, Gary Cooke, yesterday said there was "no point regretting" what happened.

Elizabeth Cooke had been following her father's car in the dark on Boxing Day when the accident happened.

But Mr Cooke defended his actions and claimed he would have "to suffer the consequences" should police decide to charge them.

Mr Cooke, an organic farmer, said: "Lizzie was a perfectly capable, confident and able little girl.

"She was brought up on the farm and in the village.

"She's been on that road riding her ponies and her horses thousands of times before.

"There is no point in regretting what happened. It could just as easily have happened if she had been on her horse.

"We don't know why the accident happened and maybe we never will.

"I don't know what will happen with the police investigation. We will have to take it as it comes and suffer the consequences should we need to."

Elizabeth and her brother Jack, ten, had both been given £1,200 Quadzilla Pro-Shark bikes which have a 100cc engine, motorcycle-style lights and are capable of speeds up to 40mph.

They are designed for use by children in fields and are not legal on public roads unless modified and driven by someone over 16 who is wearing a crash helmet and is insured.

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They were following their father's car on an unlit lane in the village of Blackmore, near Chelmsford, Essex, when Elizabeth was hit by a red Range Rover travelling in the opposite direction.

She was taken home and an ambulance was called which took her to hospital in Chelmsford, but she could not be saved.

Her brother was not injured. The 28-year-old woman who was driving the Range Rover was arrested, but it is understood police are treating it as an accident.

Mr Cooke, 46, and Miss Batt, 34, who run an organic farm in the village and who have three other children, said their "darling daughter" changed their world.

In a statement, they said: "You have given us the most amazing seven years any mum and dad could dream of. You have a special place in everyone's heart that you met along your journey. Sleep tight you beautiful angel."

An Essex police spokesman said: "Police officers will continue their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash."

A spokesman for road safety charity Brake said: "Under no circumstances should a child be riding one of these on a road - whether as a driver or passenger.

"Even with permission to use the machines on private land, children shouldn't be put in control of them.

"The sheer power and speed of them is dangerous wherever they are used."

Both Mr Cooke and Miss Batt could face criminal charges for allowing their children, underaged and unlicensed, to drive a vehicle not suitable for road use on a public highway.