Kent hit and run: Boy, 7, killed as driver ‘left him dying in the middle of the road’
Police have launched a manhunt after a seven-year-old boy was killed in a hit-and-run collision with a car. Officers said the crash happened at around 5.35pm in Folkestone on Wednesday 6 December 2023, on the A259 Sandgate Esplanade near its junction with Prospect Road. It involved two vehicles, an unidentified car or van and a red Citroen car.
Police and ambulance crews attended and the child, a seven-year-old boy, was confirmed dead at the scene. His next of kin have been informed. The Mirror spoke to the devastated dad of William Ian Brown,[1] who said he had run out to retrieve a ball when at the time he was hit.
One relative of the child, who has pleaded with people to come forward with information, said the driver left the child "dying in the middle of the road". Another emotional appeal from family member Vicky Phillips on Facebook read: "Please anyone with any information, please come forward. Our bright, bubbly seven-year-old baby boy - do the right thing.
Please." Did you witness this incident? Let us know at [email protected]
At least 10 emergency units were spotted at the scene, and large police cordon was in place on the road late on Wednesday, before the road reopened to traffic at 7.30am on Thursday.
One local woman wrote on Facebook[2] yesterday evening: "There was a hit and run in Sandgate Esplanade. The driver killed a seven-year-old boy and left him dying in the middle of the road. Anyone who has any CCTV footage of the local area please have a look.
Any dashcams eyewitness or anyone with any information on the driver. Please come forward and contact the police. Help us catch this killer, please share this everyone.
Thank you so much." Residents have spoken of their shock as they paid tribute to the boy, and also spoke online of their "huge concerns" about safety on the road following previous non-fatal road incidents. Anyone who witnessed the collision, or who saw either the victim or vehicles in the moments leading up to it, has been urged by police to contact the Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 01622 798538, quoting reference MM/DGC/130/23. You can also email any information to [email protected].
Drivers in the area are also asked to check dashcams or CCTV for any footage that may assist the investigation.
This includes footage prior to and after the crash.
References
- ^ The Mirror spoke to the devastated dad of William Ian Brown, (www.mirror.co.uk)
- ^ Facebook (www.mirror.co.uk)