Tragedy as pupils hit crossing the road

The scene of the accident at Barton Upon Humber

A SCHOOLBOY was killed and a girl is fighting for her life after they were hit by a car while crossing the road.

The 15-year-olds, both pupils at Baysgarth School in Barton, near Hull, were struck by a blue Peugeot 306 as they crossed Dam Road, near the junction with Humber Road, at about 10.50pm on Wednesday.

They were taken to Hull Royal Infirmary, where the boy, named by police as Koen Allwood, from Barton, died. His friend remains in a critical condition.

Two men aged 23 who were travelling in the car were arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

Residents spoke of their shock while the school paid tribute to Koen, who was described as a “popular young man with a bright future”.

A woman living nearby who was one of the first on the scene said: “I was asleep on the settee and I heard this bang and woke up.

“I woke my mum and said ‘There’s something happened outside.’ I went out and there was a young girl laid out in the middle of the road. I came back in and my mum rang the ambulance.

“I thought someone had been shot because it was silent, there were no cars.

“When I went out I was shaking and I didn’t sleep last night. It’s not nice to open your door and there’s a body outside.”

Lynn Johnson, of Mallard Way, Barton, said: “It’s just tragic, what else can you say? You just don’t get that kind of thing around here – it’s a quiet street.”

A spokesman for the school said: “Any loss of life is tragic. When it comes at such a young age it’s even harder to accept.

“Koen was a popular young man with a bright future, our thoughts go to his friends and family.

“We are all in a state of shock as we try to come to terms with the reality of what has happened. We are working with Koen’s closest friends to identify how best to commemorate his young life.

“Our thoughts are also with the girl involved who remains in hospital.”

Police said the car was travelling towards Waterside Road and are appealing for witnesses.

Insp Mark Hughes, of Humberside Police, said:“Regardless of the outcome of the investigation, it’s a tragic loss of life for a 15-year-old who has got their life in front of them.”