A PROVISIONAL cause of death has been given for a tragic 15-year-old boy hit and killed by a bus.

Alfie Harbord was struck down by the number 6 bus in Marine Parade, Brighton, in the early hours of Saturday morning.

A pre-inquest review into the teenager’s death took place at Brighton Coroner’s Court yesterday, and Dr Mark Taylor gave a provisional cause of death as head injuries following a road traffic incident.

The court heard Dorothy Stringer pupil Alfie, who is the son of Levellers drummer Charlie Heather and Varndean College teacher Jill Harbord, was formally identified by a friend he was with on the night.

Alfie, of Bonchurch Road in Brighton, was hit by the Brighton and Hove bus shortly before 1am.

A passerby called 999, and the ambulance was on the scene “within a couple of minutes”, Coroner Veronica Hamilton-Deeley said.

The youngster was confirmed dead at 1.25am on the Saturday at the Royal Sussex County Hospital.

Martin Harris, managing director of Brighton and Hove Buses, was present along with another senior member of staff.

Also present were two police officers.

One of them, PC Christine Davidson, of the Haywards Heath serious collision investigations unit, said the force will “give it our best” in its investigation.

Mrs Hamilton-Deeley adjourned the full inquest until September 4, as police continue work on their investigation into the death of Alfie.

Father Heather was due to begin touring with The Levellers this month.

However, that looks up in the air in the wake of Alfie’s death.

On Monday, the band released a statement on Facebook saying: “We are deeply saddened to report that Charlie Heather’s teenage son Alfie died on Saturday.

“As you can imagine this has been a great shock to the family and to everyone who knew him.

“They have asked that their privacy be respected at this very difficult time.

“The band will be issuing an update regarding the forthcoming tour dates within the next few days.”

CCTV footage from the bus is being examined by police, and the bus company is assisting the force.

Alfie's family "has asked that their privacy is respected at this very difficult time".

Anyone with information about the crash should call police on 101 quoting Operation Rivington.