A murder investigation has been launched as police hunt for a car involved in a hit-and-run that has killed a 12-year-old boy near a school in Essex.
Witnesses have described several people being mowed down near Debden Park High School in Loughton, Essex.
Police said the injured include two 15-year-old boys, one 13-year-old girl, one 16-year-old girl and a 53-year-old woman, and they believe all of the children were pupils at the school.
The force is urgently appealing for witnesses and any camera footage of a silver Ford KA likely to be bearing damage to its front.
Essex Police tweeted anyone with information is asked to call them on 999 and quote incident number 0726.
Police and paramedics dashed to a road near Debden Park High School in Loughton, Essex, after reports of a severe car crash involving a Ford Ka which "mounted the pavement" just after 3.20pm today.
Have you been affected by this incident? Email [email protected]
-
Loughton crash: Boy, 12, dead in hit-and-run crash outside Debden Park High School
"We have launched a murder investigation following a fatal collision in Loughton earlier today. A 12-year-old boy has sadly died," a police spokesman said.
"We are appealing for help to find a silver Ford KA in connection with the collision this afternoon in Willingale Road.
"Please help as per below from roads policing Inspector. Please do not speculate about those who may be involved. We will update when we are able."
-
Boris Johnson says it was 'probably clear' that Usman Khan was 'too tough to crack'
The force urgently requested any dashcam or CCTV footage the public may have as they hunt for the vehicle involved.
One anonymous dad, who said his daughter was hit by the car, told Essex Live: "A Ford Ka mounted the pavement behind her.
He claimed: "Her friend was bounced onto the bonnet before another boy was hit very bad.
“The car drove off down the road and the police arrived quickly. My daughter is safe, but the wing mirror clipped my daughter. Her friend got thrown off the bonnet.
"It was awful to witness. Everyone is in shock."
-
London Bridge attack: How brave heroes faced down terror in Fishmongers' Hall
The incident has caused the road to be closed at junctions on either side of the high school, which is on Willingale Rd, Loughton.
Police are asking people to avoid the area.
The victim killed in the incident is believed to have attended the school. The other teenagers, whose injuries are not life-changing or life-threatening, are pupils there.
An Essex Police statement added: "A number of other casualties were reported, but none are believed to be life-changing or life-threatening. They were either treated at scene or were taken to hospital following the incident.
"These include: two 15-year-old boys, one 13-year-old boy, one 16-year-old girl and a 53-year-old woman.
"We believe that all of the teenagers were pupils at Debden Park High School on Wallingale Road.
"Officers from across the county are working diligently to identify the vehicle, and its driver, who failed to stop at the scene.
Detective Chief Inspector Rob Kirby of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate said: “This has been a truly shocking incident and my deepest sympathies are with all those involved.
“I would like to thank the many members of the public who have called us with information and spoken to our officers, as well as those who provided crucial medical assistance at the scene.
“I would urge anyone with information, dash cam footage, or who may have seen anything on social media that they think could be crucial, to call us on 101 and quote incident number 726 of 2 December.”
Source: Read Full Article