THE heartbroken family of a teenage boy who tragically died when he was hit by a car joined 50 protesters demanding speed cameras are installed and a 20mph limit introduced.

Freddie Coleman, a Mayflower High School student, was killed last November when he was hit by a car as he walked to a bus stop in Stock Road, Stock. 

One year on from the 15-year-old’s death, campaigners have been stunned by a lack of action from Essex County Council after their campaign to slash the speed limit has failed to bring results. 

A friend of Freddie’s was also seriously injured in the crash which happened as the pair travelled to the Billericay school.

Campaign - Members of the Coleman family and Stock Village out yesterday Campaign - Members of the Coleman family and Stock Village out yesterday (Image: Daisy-May Bates)

Members of the family joined the Stock community at the village hall at 10am yesterday to raise awareness of the need for safety measures as they ramped up their campaign. 

The group walked from the village hall to a memorial bench dedicated to Freddie near the village outskirts.

Freddie dad’s Jason, 50, said “There would never be another family going through what we are if everyone adhered to the speed limit. It would never have happened and even if it did, the consequences would not have been as severe.

“People don’t really realise, we have lost a lot and if we can help anyone else not be in our position, I would do all I can.”

The protest, which was organised with just 12 hours’ notice, saw between 40 and 50 people attend.

“It is a disappointment, and no one seems to be listening, if everywhere I drive in London is 20mph then when we have a primary school in the village, that should be 20mph.

“We can only do so much really, everyone around here is worried at crossing at the two crossings in the village and people don’t slow down, they drive straight through.”

Memory - Freddie Coleman Memory - Freddie Coleman (Image: Provided) A spokesman for Essex County Council said: “We are not able to release details about fatal collision investigations until a full coroner’s inquest or court proceedings have taken place. If we identify a clear pattern of collisions during investigations, remedial measures will be put forward for design and funding.”

A 23-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and driving while unfit through drink or drugs but was released under investigation.