'Little sweetheart' killed by hit and run driver on holiday isle

A HOLIDAY in the Canary Islands ended in tragedy when a hit-and-run driver knocked down and killed a 12-year-old Yorkshire girl and injured her school friend.

Abigail Harris died when a car mounted the pavement in the resort of Puerto Rico, on the south coast of Gran Canaria, as she walked along with her friend Thomas Thackray, also 12, and family.

The incident occurred towards the end of their trip and came after the holidaymakers had been out celebrating Abigail's sister's birthday.

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Her parents, from Dewsbury, yesterday spoke of their devastation, describing her as a "little sweetheart".

Nicola and Tony Harris said that as the car mounted the pavement "the poor kids didn't have chance to get out of the way".

The incident was witnessed by Abigail's sister Jessica, her mother and Thomas's father Keith.

It is believed the boy's mother, who lives in West Yorkshire, is now trying to get out to Gran Canaria.

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Abigail and Thomas, both pupils at St John Fisher School in Dewsbury, were knocked down as their families enjoyed an evening stroll in the resort.

In their statement, Abigail's parents spoke of their "treasured daughter".

The statement said: "Abbi and her sister Jessica are the most important things in their lives.

"Abbi has been snatched from them in particularly tragic circumstances. She was nearing the end of a holiday and had just been celebrating Jessica's birthday with her.

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"A car mounted the pavement and struck Abbi and her friend Thomas Thackray, the poor kids didn't have chance to get out of the way.

"Thomas has been injured too but has now been released from hospital on the island.

"Nicola, Jessica and Thomas's dad Keith saw the incident and are trying to recover from the shock of it."

The family were said to be grateful for all the messages of condolence and support, but asked to be left to grieve in their own time.

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The problem with the air traffic caused by the volcanic ash cloud is only going to compound matters, the family added.

"Abbi, the youngest, was, and always will remain the 'little sweetheart' of her mum and dad, " the statement concluded.

Police in Gran Canaria are investigating the incident, which involved a Ford Escort whose driver drove on after the incident.

It happened at 6.50pm on Sunday next to a taxi rank and one of the drivers gave chase while other witnesses called the emergency services.

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The taxi driver caught up with the escaping car and spoke to the driver, a man in his fifties, when the vehicle pulled up some 300 yards away.

"I advised him not to flee, that it would be worse, and the guy turned round and went back to the scene of the accident, " the cabbie told the Diario de Las Palmas local newspaper.

The man, a Colombian, was arrested by the paramilitary Civil Guard along with his passenger, reported to be his daughter.

Two ambulances were on the scene within minutes but reports said there was nothing they could do for Abigail.

A helicopter was also summoned but was not needed.

Thomas was taken to hospital in one of the ambulances.

He was later released following treatment.

Members of the two families were also treated for shock.

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A spokeswoman for the Foreign Office said: "We can confirm two British nationals were involved in a hit-and-run car accident in Gran Canaria on April 18.

"Sadly, one of the British nationals died. Another British national has been hospitalised.

"We are providing consular assistance. Local police are investigating the incident."

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