Bristol residents' anger over death of boy after hit-and-run
The child died in hospital after he was hit by a car which mounted a pavement in Westbury-on-Trym.
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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