Boy, 12, killed in ‘fleeing driver’ horror

Bilal Raffey Khizar was struck down by a red Seat Ibiza, which had been stopped by police officers in a lay-by in Bradford.

As officers approached the vehicle, it was then driven off at speed and after hitting the youngster, the car failed to stop and was in collision with two other vehicles at the Chain Bar roundabout on the M606 at around 7pm on Saturday.

Two people were arrested overnight on Saturday and the car has been recovered by police in another part of the city.

The detective leading the investigation for West Yorkshire Police has appealed for witnesses to come forward to “help bring justice” for the 12-year-old’s family.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission has also launched its own investigation into the incident as it happened while police officers were in pursuit.

Bilal’s family and friends have paid tribute to the 12-year-old yesterday as a “happy child” who was loved by everyone. Dozens of floral tributes and messages have been left at the scene of the accident in Rooley Lane.

His aunt, Nadia Karin, said: “He was such a happy child. Happy and chirpy. He was loved by all the family and everyone at school.

“We just can’t believe he’s gone. We’re devastated.”

As they left yellow flowers at the roadside, Bilal’s schoolfriends told how he had discussed death and his funeral on the day he died.

Eve Whitaker, 12, who came to leave a tribute with her mother, teacher Sam, 44, and other friends, said: “He was with us just before he died, we were all at a friend’s house. He had left at about 6.40pm on his scooter to go home. It’s so strange, just before he died we were talking about funerals. He said he wanted his to be yellow, with yellow flowers, nothing black. He wanted it to be happy.”

Schoolchildren held hands for support as they stood to read the tributes left at the scene yesterday.

One note read: “Bilal, rest in peace. Your (sic) in a better place now. You’ll never be forgotten”. and another said: “You was (sic) such a bubbly boy who didn’t deserve to go. Gone but never forgotten. Sleep tight up there angel.”

Ifrah Satti, 12, who came to pay tribute with her father, 41-year-old Amjad, said: “I’d known Bilal since nursery, so about seven or eight years. It’s a long time.

“He was more than just a best friend, he was like a brother. He had been at a friend’s birthday party the night he died.

“He was lovely, popular, funny, a cheeky boy. We all loved him.”

While Rita Sinds, 54, who was a dinner lady while Bilal was at school, said: “He brightened up my day. It’s unbelievable that this has happened. A child so young shouldn’t go like this.”

Bilal was believed to be making his way home and was on a crossing in Rooley Lane, when he was hit. The accident happened as the car made off at speed after being stopped by police for a check.

A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said a marked police car had stopped the Seat Ibiza in a lay-by on Rooley Lane.

However, as officers got out of their car to approach the vehicle, it made off at speed along the road before hitting the boy on a crossing close to an Asda store moments later. It failed to stop and then collided with two vehicles on a roundabout on the M606. The car was found in Westfield Lane, in the Wyke area of the city.

Det Supt Mark Ridley, who is leading the investigation said: “This is a tragedy for the family and they are absolutely devastated. Specially trained officers are currently working with them. I am appealing directly to anyone who saw the vehicle being driven or the incident to get in contact.

“I need the community to come forward and tell me what has happened and what they have seen to help bring justice to the family.”