Hit-and-run boy makes
progress as girl fights on

Sabah Saleem, 10, and her brother Rayhan, two, suffered serious head injuries when they were hit by a car only yards from their Leeds home.

The pair had been to the shop with their cousin to buy vegetables for the family’s Eid celebrations when they were struck by a Vauxhall Astra as they crossed Brudenell Road, in Hyde Park, on Saturday at 5.20pm.

They were left in a critical condition after undergoing emergency surgery over the weekend.

Rayhan is now showing signs of improvement but his sister Sabah remained in a critical but stable condition yesterday.

Uncle Aroon Rafique described Rayhan’s condition as a “miracle” and added: “It was such a relief.

“We were all just hoping and praying that he would open his eyes and every so often he opened his eyes and looked at us.

“Sabah went for a scan and there is still a small amount of blood around the brain.

“The swelling has reduced so that is good news as well.

“It is a very slow process with Sabah but it is a miracle how Rayhan has recovered so quickly.”

He said the children’s devastated parents Tazeem Noor, 32, and Mohammed Saleem, 37, were still maintaining an agonising vigil at their bedsides at Leeds General Infirmary.

“I was with my brother all night and it is so hard and difficult to see one of your family members like that,” Mr Rafique said.

“The community have been very supportive.”