My son, 11, was killed after scaffolding fell from van & smashed into car window – he died from someone else’s laziness

A MUM whose 11-year-old son died when a scaffolding sheet came off a van has blasted the killer driver for his “laziness”. Harry Dennis was in a car with his dad and sister when the unsecured sheet smashed through their windscreen. Harry Dennis (pictured with his mum Maria) was killed when a scaffolding sheet fell off a van Credit: Supplied Maria has blasted her son’s killer driver for “laziness” Credit: Sussex Police He was rushed to hospital after the horror on the B295 in Hooe, East Sussex, in December 2022 but later died. Russell Le Beau, then 34, was jailed for four years in 2023 after admitting causing death by dangerous driving. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! Harry’s mum Maria Dennis previously told The Sun that although she understood Le Beau had not set out to hurt anyone she could “never forgive” the driver. As part of a new police operation to crack down on unsecured loads, she said: “The accident happened but it didn’t have to happen. It’s through somebody’s laziness really that Harry is no longer here. Russell Le Beau was jailed for four years over the tragedy Credit: Sussex Police Le Beau admitted causing death by dangerous driving Credit: Sussex Police “I need to share that message to make sure people, when they are going on the road, take that extra time to make sure their load is secure, so it doesn’t happen again. “We lost Harry through something that was preventable. I need to be his voice, shouting for him.” She called on drivers to always think twice before carrying anything that could fall off their vehicle and kill someone. The mum added: “On top of any financial penalty or prison sentence, you need to live with that every day for the rest of your life, that you’ve killed somebody. Most read in The Sun The youngster was rushed to hospital after the sheet hit his car in Hooe but later died Credit: Sussex Police Le Beau had not followed the safe loading of scaffolding guidance Credit: Sussex Police “All the things they (the victim) had to look forward to and the difference they were going to make to other people’s lives, that’s now ended, none of it is going to happen.” Sussex Police’s Operation Rule saw them stop open-bed trucks, lorries and tractors carrying trailers on September 8. Police started the annual campaign after Maria approached them in a bid to prevent future tragedies from taking place. PC Barry Freeman, the officer who run this year’s op, said: “We want motorists to take personal responsibility to ensure the load they are carrying is safe and secure, before they set off on their journey. An annual police operation to tackle unsecured loads has been launched in Harry’s memory Credit: Sussex Police Harry’s mum said his death was preventable and she could “never forgive” the driver Credit: Sussex Police “This should come as second nature – much like putting on your seatbelt every time you get in your vehicle – and should only take a matter of minutes. “Those vital few minutes could be the difference in preventing death and serious injury on our roads. “Nobody goes to work to intentionally harm or kill someone. However, the reality is, unless you ensure the loads you carry are safe, you put yourself and others at risk both during your journey and when unloading.” Several police forces have also supported the annual day of action to crack down on dangerous loads. In last year’s campaign, 120 vehicles were stopped across the country, with 59 per cent of them carrying things incorrectly. In 2024 officers stopped 131 motorists and found 73 per cent had not properly secured their loads.