AN inquest has been opened into the death of a Colchester teenager who was hit by a car. 

Taylen Ireton, died after the incident on Mersea Road, on September 21. 

An inquest into the 13-year-old's death was opened by Essex area coroner Michelle Brown on Friday morning. 

The court heard Taylen was playing football on the day of the incident. 

Mrs Brown said he tried to retrieve a football on Mersea Road when he was struck by a vehicle. 

Inquest - The inquest into Taylen's death was formally openedInquest - The inquest into Taylen's death was formally opened (Image: Daniel Rees, Newsquest)

Taylen was taken to Colchester General Hospital shortly after, but sadly died soon after. 

A forensic post-mortem examination was carried out on September 24 and classed the cause of his death as due to abdominal injuries. 

Essex Police have asked the coroner to suspend the full inquest pending investigation of the case. 

Three teenagers from Colchester were arrested, two 19-year-olds on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and failing to stop at the scene of a collision, and an 18-year-old on suspicion of failing to stop at the scene of a collision. 

All three have been released on bail until December 4, Essex Police have said. 

A community fundraiser gathered more than £12,000 for Taylen’s family, who are being supported by specialist family liaison officers. 

Anyone with information, CCTV, dash cam or other footage in relation to this incident is asked to contact Essex Police. 

Detective Sergeant Same Nason, from SCIU, said: “We continue to investigate the circumstances leading up to the collision and to support Taylen’s family through the forthcoming days.

“We appreciate that a number of people spoke with officers at the scene, but we’d still like to speak to anyone who may have information or dashcam footage that could help us.”