Horror as seven-year-old boy is killed in hit-and-run – as police hunt driver

Police have launched a manhunt for a suspected hit-and-run driver after a seven-year-old boy was hit and left “for dead in the middle of the road”.

The youth was killed in Folkestone, Kent, at around 5.35pm yesterday after he was hit on Sandgate Quay near the junction with Prospect Road.

Police and ambulance crews rushed to the city center, but despite attempts to save his life, the boy died on the spot. His family has been notified.

The crash involved two vehicles – an unidentified car or van and a red Citroen car. Kent Police said the unidentified vehicle fled the scene before crews arrived.

The force has now launched an appeal to identify the driver as residents claim they have been left traumatized and unable to sleep following the tragic incident.

The child was hit on Sandgate Quay at around 5.35pm before the driver “left him for dead in the middle of the road”.

The incident prompted a huge response from emergency services, with multiple crews being sent to the scene.

The main street remained closed overnight to allow police to investigate the accident and reopened just after 7am today.

This morning, city residents spoke of their shock.

One local resident said he heard what he thought was shouting last night, looked out of his window and saw a small crowd of people.

You could see someone on the road blocking traffic. Soon more people joined in and people became traumatized.

A few minutes later, patrol cars arrived with their sirens on and blocked the road with their cars.

A resident said: “We are truly shocked by what we saw, we have barely slept.

“It’s becoming more and more dangerous to cross this road and more people are being forced to cross it.”

Posting on Facebook about the tragedy last night, a woman – believed to be a member of the boy’s family – said: “There has been a hit-and-run on Sandgate Esplanade. A driver hit a seven-year-old boy and left him to die in the middle of the road.

“Anyone who has CCTV footage in the area please take a look. Any eyewitness from dash cams or anyone with any information about the driver.

“Police are looking for a silver-gray van and any information about the driver. Please come forward and contact the police. Help us catch this killer, share this with everyone. Thank you very much.’

Now law enforcement officers have asked to identify the driver. Anyone who witnessed the collision or saw the victim or vehicles involved in the moments leading up to the collision is urged to contact police.

Information can be reported to the Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 01622 798538 quoting MM/DGC/130/23 or by emailing sciu.td@kent.pnn.police.uk.

The force has also asked drivers and local residents to check their dash cams or CCTV systems for footage that could assist with the investigation.