Bristol residents' anger over death of boy after hit-and-run
Residents have spoken of their shock and sadness at the death of an 11-year-old boy struck in a hit-and-run collision in Bristol.
The child died in hospital after he was hit by a car which mounted a pavement in Westbury-on-Trym.
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Floral tributes in Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol, after a boy died following in a hit-and-run
After hitting a group of pedestrians in Eastfield Road the woman driver of the white Ford Focus estate car ran from the scene.
Detectives said the boy, named locally as Sam Riddall, was taken to the hospital after the crash on Friday night, but died a short time later.
Another person in the group of pedestrians - an adult man - was also taken to hospital with minor injuries and was released later on Friday night.
Three other children in the group escaped injury.
The crash happened at 9.15pm on Friday. The Ford Focus car was heading towards the centre of Westbury-on-Trym along Eastfield Road. The pedestrians were walking in the opposite direction, police said.
Local residents have told of their shock at the death of the child.
They told the Bristol Evening Post that a blonde woman was driving the car, and there was also a man in the passenger seat.
Witnesses also said the car hit the kerb so hard that both front wheels were ripped off.
Joanne Yates, 32, of Eastfield Road, said: "We looked out and couldn't work out what was happening because there were so many cars.
"The car that had been driven was on the pavement and had knocked a parked car out at an angle.
"At first we didn't know anyone was injured. But there was a little boy.
"I just hope that get who did this. What on earth would possess someone to run?
"It was a just a group of harmless children. They weren't doing anything wrong. This is sickening."
Her husband Ben Yates, 32, said: "I can only imagine that when she got out she panicked. She must have seen the little boy when she got out of the car.
"It is unimaginable how someone can't react to that. It is gutless."
Police said they were still hunting the woman driver of the Ford Focus. She is described as being white, with long blonde hair, and in her mid-thirties.
Detective Inspector Ian Chadwick desbribed the incident as a "nasty collision which claimed the life of a young boy" and wanted to hear from anyone with information.
Anyone who can help is asked to contact Avon and Somerset police on 0845 456 7000, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
The crash is the second hit-and-run in a week in Bristol. Last Friday Troy Atkinson, of Hartcliffe, was knocked over in the city centre and died hours later in Frenchay Hospital.
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by Mary, Cumbernauld
Wednesday, May 06 2009, 2:18AM
“I heard about this on the national news at the weekend.
I was sure they said the driver had blonde hair. It does throw a little doubt if the registered keeper of the vehicle was the driver or not.
We cannot judge this person without the full facts.
Whoever the driver was she will have to live the rest of her life knowing she took a childs life.
I cannot understand why the driver ran away from the scene. I do understand the concept of fear and panic but to still not come forward is scarey.
If she has not already tried to kill herself does this mean she is cold and callous or has self presevation kicked in?
Or it could be she is even more scared now after fleeing the scene she cannot bring herself to come forward.
Personally I feel she should come forward and give her version of what happened, she (whoever she is) has killed a child, mentally scared numerous other people and devestated a whole family.
If someone is shielding her then I hope they realise they too are commiting an offence of aiding and abetting a criminal.
As a mother I can only try to imagine how the childs family feel and it is to them my thought go out to.”
by M. M., Cumbernauld
Wednesday, May 06 2009, 1:56AM
“I heard this on the national news at the weekend but I was sure they said the driver had blonde hair!! I do know young ones tend to dye their hair these days but this does leave a little doubt if she was the driver. What I cannot understand is why any woman could run from an accident scene that involves a child. I understand fear and panic but I do hope who ever the female is she comes forward. No one should judge her without the full facts and remember SHE is the one who must live the rest of her life knowing she has killed a child.
My thoughts are with the family of the child and also all the witnesses who also have to live with the memories of this.”
by Rise, Brizzle
Tuesday, May 05 2009, 2:04PM
“Rob: "are there NO levels you 'Greenies' won't stoop to to try to force your pathetic agenda on us?"
I'm not a 'Greenie'.
Um . . . other than that, you make a good argument.”
by Rob, Knowle
Monday, May 04 2009, 7:16AM
“Rise, Brizzle, are there NO levels you 'Greenies' won't stoop to to try to force your pathetic agenda on us?”
by Rob, Bristol
Sunday, May 03 2009, 9:08PM
“Rise, Brizzle: Its not the car that kills, its the idiot behind the wheel. A pushbike could kill if the person riding it does so with no regard to their surroundings.
I think tests should be harder and new drivers limited to small engines and certain cars untill they have spent enought time on the road and can prove they are responsible.
Anyway, rather than going along this line and making all car users out to be some kind of devil spawn,how about just showing a little sense.”