Leeds road tragedy: Police urge restraint on social media

Police investigating the Morley road tragedy have asked for restraint on social media after ‘derogatory’ comments were posted about the driver.
By The Newsroom
Published 9th Mar 2015, 14:38 BST
Floral tributes at the scene.Floral tributes at the scene.
Floral tributes at the scene.

Officers have asked people to think carefully before writing on social media as emotions run high following Saturday’s crash on the A62 Gelderd Road, which killed Rhys Baker, 13, and George Wharton, 14.

Two other passengers in the car, Kameron Walters, 14, and Joshua Vanveen, 15, are currently described as critical but stable in hospital.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Supt Sam Millar, of Leeds District Police said officers had been made aware of derogatory comments about the 21-year-old driver, who remains seriously ill in hospital.

Floral tributes at the scene.Floral tributes at the scene.
Floral tributes at the scene.

She said: “This has been an appallingly tragic incident and it is understandable that emotions will be running high. That said, we would ask people to think very carefully about the nature of any comments they make on social media in relation to this incident.

“A comprehensive police investigation is underway that will establish the full circumstances around the incident and ensure that any offences arising from it are appropriately dealt with. We would ask that people refrain from speculation and allow the investigation to take its course.

“We understand that people will be very upset about what has happened but we would also ask them to consider all of the families involved in this incident before they post comments which could add to the trauma they are going through at the moment.”

Related topics:PoliceLeeds