Maid's death found to be accidental

A VERDICT of accidental death was recorded yesterday in the case of a maid who was hit by a runaway school van while taking her employer's son home from school.

The jury qualified the verdict by adding that it was due to negligence, but Coroner Rodney Venning said he could not accept a verdict of accident through negligence.

They also added two riders: A vehicle should not be left unattended with any underage passengers on board; If the driver leaves the vehicle, he or she should take the ignition key.

Pascuala Dastas, 37, died after suffering a 35-centimetre skull fracture on the afternoon of March 10 this year at Shan Kwong Road, Happy Valley.

After the verdict, Dastas' younger sister, Filomena Baral, praised Hui Lai-fong and her husband for being ''very good, understanding and kind employers''.

The sisters were employed to care for the Hui's two children.

The Huis have placed $230,000 in an education fund for Dastas' three sons.

She said neighbours who saw the accident said Dastas pushed the employer's six-year-old son out of the van's path.

Earlier, when summing up the case to the jury, Mr Venning asked them to consider three possible verdicts - accident, unlawful killing or an open verdict.

Mr Venning asked them to consider that the van was parked on a slight slope and remained stationary for several minutes before it moved.

During that time students boarded and got off the van.

What was in conflict was what made the van move. Both students on board the van said they did not touch the brake or gear handle.

Mr Venning said there was also conflict over to what extent the driver applied the hand brake.

Driver Irene Lam said she applied the brake in full but a fireman said the brake was only partly on.