Sydney father breaks down at inquest into son's road death

The father of a six-year-old boy who was killed while running across a Sydney road says he's grateful urgent steps will be taken to improve safety at the spot where his son was struck.

The man, who did not want to be identified, wiped away tears as the findings were delivered in court.

Ryan Leo was fatally hit last July by a car outside his Taekwondo class at Hurstville, in Sydney's south, after leaving the back of his nanny's car, running around the front and out on to the road without looking.

Following an inquest into his death, NSW Deputy State Coroner Elaine Truscott on Friday recommended urgent pedestrian safety improvements..

She asked the council to fast-track planned improvements to the road that had still not been made a year after Ryan’s death.

A pedestrian crossing, pedestrian island and a sign alerting drivers that children were frequently in the area were among the recommendations, along with a complete safety audit to identify further possible improvements.

She also urged parents to talk to their children about road safety, particularly in busy areas.

Ryan’s father said he hoped no parent would have to go through what he did.