A SCHOOLBOY died on a bike ride with his dad when he slammed into a telegraph pole after his brakes failed, an inquest heard.

Rufus Pomeroy, 12, had travelled to Hay-on-Wye, Powys, for a planned camping trip when the horror unfolded.

An inquest heard Rufus realised his brakes were not working and would push his bike until the terrain was flat.

But the schoolboy was on a road he did not know “which quickly descended into a steep hill”.

Rufus, of Bristol, lost control of the bike and suffered a “heavy collision” with a telegraph pole on May 28 last year.

Dad William, who had stopped near a farm gate, found Rufus lying unconscious on his back and his bike on the ground.

He was rushed to hospital but died from catastrophic head injuries that day.

The inquest was told Rufus, who had “autistic tendencies” was not wearing a helmet.

Coroner Rachel Knight ruled an accidental verdict.

She said: “Sadly, likely due to the speed he achieved and his lack of working brakes, Rufus lost control of his bike and suffered a heavy collision with a telegraph pole.

“Rufus was not wearing a helmet, and sustained catastrophic head injuries.

“He was taken to hospital, and tragically he died.”

Rufus, who was a pupil at Redland Green School, was described by headteacher Ben Houghton as “a lovely and valued member of our school community”.

He said at the time that the school community had been “deeply saddened” and “devastated” by the loss.

In a letter to parents, the headteacher wrote: “I would like to express our heartfelt thoughts and condolences to Rufus’s family and friends during this incredibly difficult time.”