A COUPLE have vowed to continue their fight for justice, after an inquest recorded an open verdict on the death of their son.

Two-year-old Paul Gallagher died from severe head injuries, when he was hit by a speedboat in the Bahamas, in August 2002.

An initial inquest on the island returned a verdict of accidental death but a second inquest held at Bromley Magistrates' Court recorded an open verdict.

Now the Gallaghers, of Repton Road, Orpington, are demanding a full British police investigation into the tragedy.

Paul was with his family on a beach at the Atlantis hotel resort, when he was hit by a 20ft speedboat which had careered onto the beach.

His mother Andrea Gallagher tearfully told the inquest how her son's head had been "chopped and chopped by the boat's propeller".

She also attacked the Bahameian authorities for failing to take responsibility for the causes of the accident.

She said: "My children were making sandcastles, they were not interested in the boats or rides."

She added: "This did not need to happen to my son. It should not have happened and it should have been avoided.

"Human life is worth nothing in the Bahamas."

Counsel for the Gallaghers, Warren Collins, said Atlantis, boat vendors Sea and Ski Ocean Sports and boat driver James Bain had neglected their duty of care.

But Coroner Dr Roy Palmer rejected claims of an unlawful killing, claiming the evidence was conflicting and not entirely clear.

In recording an open verdict he said: "The family have fought long and hard to get their son's death investigated.

"This is a case where there is real doubt and any conclusion would be unjust."

Speaking outside the court father Paul Gallagher said: "We will continue our fight for justice for little Paul. We want the British police to go out to the Bahamas and carry out a full investigation."