Eyewitnesses have told how two youngsters wandered along on the side of a motorway moments before they were killed, an inquest has heard.
Seven-year-old Kieran Coupe and his pal Guy Davies, six, were hit by three cars on the M56 close to their homes in Runcorn, Cheshire, on 24th October 2007.
The young boys were pushing scooters along the M56 near Runcorn when three saloon-type cars travelling at high speed hit them whilst they tried to cross the carriage-way.
Tragic Kieran Coupe and Guy Davies were pronounced dead at the scene by ambulance crews.
It is believed the boys strayed on to the carriageway after getting lost in woods as darkness fell.
Guy Davies' mother and father, Deborah Shrimpton and Guy Davies Snr, were present at Warrington Coroner's Court.
Kieran Coupe's father, Colin Lambert, 33, addressed Coroner Nicholas Rheinberg briefly, apologising for the absence of Kieran's mother and described his young son as an "adventurer."
Coroner Nicholas Rheinberg heard eyewitnesses describe their "shock" at spotting two boys pushing scooters along the hard shoulder on a stretch of motorway with no streetlighting.
Motorist Martin Meehan, travelling towards Manchester, said: "At approximately 7pm the roads were dry and clear as we passed junction 12.
"There was steady traffic in all three lanes but with plenty of space between each car.
"Though it was dark and there were no street lights on that stretch of motorway, visibility was as good as could be expected and I could clearly see the brake lights of the car in front.
"It was at that moment that I turned to my wife and noticed in the corner of my eye two small boys at the side of the motorway, each holding a scooter.
"They were just on the grass verge next to the hard shoulder.
"I said "Did you see those kids?"
"We were both shocked."
Mr Meehan said he was unable to stop due to heavy roadworks for half a mile down the M56 before he could pull over and safely dial 999.
"I wanted to pull over but was unable to do so immediately due to roadworks for half a mile.
"When I did pull over I dialled 999 and told the policeman where we were.
"I asked whether I should do anything but was advised to carry on as police were on their way."
Joanne Clark, from Runcorn was a passenger in a car with her husband Paul and 4 year old son, Tom.
She said: "After spending the evening at the Stretton Fox pub we left at around 6.50pm
"My husband driving and myself sat in the back with our 4-year-old son.
"We were driving cautiously at around 60 mph.
"We joined the West bound carriageway just after 7. it was pitch black and there were no lights.
Shortly afterwards my husband noticed two kids on bikes looking towards the road.
"I turned around and noticed it was actually scooters and the youngsters looked around 9 or 10.
"As my husband looked for a place to pull in I called 999 but it was quite some time down the road before we could stop.
"When we stopped we looked behind but we couldn't see the children.
"I asked the police officer if my husband should go and find them but we were advised not to and to carry on with our journey.
"However, the heavy traffic meant that we couldn't continue for a couple of minutes and I think I saw the blue flashing lights of a police car.
"When I realised what must have happened I held my head in my hands agast and screamed at Paul to get out which he did.
"I just feel like we should've done something and if we had we might've been able to save the lives of those children.
"I can't help feeling so guilty."
Tracey Jane McDowell, a cleaner from Runcorn was travelling home from work at 7.05pm.
"Visibility was good but no streetlighting.
"When I saw something at first I thought it was a dog on the hard shoulder.
"I asked my mum who was sat next me if she could see it and we realised it was two young kids.
"I couldn't tell if they were male or female but they must've been around 7
They were side by side on scooters.
"Both appeared to be rushing.
"I began to slow down but there was nowhere to stop and as I reached the end of the roadworks, I saw another car had stopped and assumed they had called the police."
Coroner Nicholas Rheinberg is expected to record a verdict later this week.
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