Tributes to Lily, 6, after Bradford road tragedy

A GRIEVING father has paid tribute to his six-year-old daughter who was killed yesterday in a tragic road collision.
Lilly Davies died from injuries sustained in a car crash in Bradford.  Picture: Ross Parry AgencyLilly Davies died from injuries sustained in a car crash in Bradford.  Picture: Ross Parry Agency
Lilly Davies died from injuries sustained in a car crash in Bradford. Picture: Ross Parry Agency

Jack Davies said his daughter Lily will “never be forgotten” after she was hit by a silver Land Rover Freelander in Bradford, while with her mother Jenna Hatfield yesterday morning.

Relative, friends and the public have gathered to lay flowers and cards at the scene on Beacon Road in the Wibsey area where the schoolgirl was hit at 8.30am.

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She sustained serious head injuries and was airlifted to Leeds General Infirmary, but doctors were unable to save her and she died hours later.

Mr Davies said: “I would just like to say she was a beautiful, blonde haired little girl, who was doing very well at school. She will never be forgotten.

“I would like to say thank you to everyone who has brought flowers.”

Lily’s uncle Leon Robinson said: “[She was] really bubbly, kind and generous. She was very friendly and polite. Nothing worse than this could have happened, she had never done any harm to anyone”.

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While the little girl’s grandfather John Laird later said: “Lily was a special, beautiful little angel. She was so lovely and she loved life.

“She was crossing the road outside our home to come and see us before she went to school.

“The last time we saw her was Sunday. We planted flowers together in the garden.

“When she left, she told me she loved us lots. I told her I loved her too. She was such an amazing little girl.

“I don’t know how this has happened.

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“We would like to thank everyone for all their help and the police officers who stayed with us and were so supportive. They went beyond the call of duty.”

Another uncle Tom Laird said: “RIP to my beautiful niece. Uncle Tommy loves you and always will.

“We’re all just so upset. We wanted to come back to where it happened but it’s so hard.

“We can’t describe the grief we are going through.”

Other tributes left on bouquets and hand-made cards read: “Such a sad loss to a beautiful princess.

“Today Heaven gained an angel. RIP little Lilly.

“Princess Lily, sleep tight angel.”

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The schoolgirl was a pupil at nearby Stocks Lane Primary school and had moved to a house just metres from the accident scene about three months ago.

Lily, a member of Bradford South Scouts, was crossing the main road - which has a 30mph speed limit - with her mother when the tragedy happened.

Sam Malynowsky was working on block paving a front drive on Beacon Road only yards from the incident and said: “I heard it happen and saw a woman screaming. I did not see it.

“I had to run next door to get an ambulance. They were doing CPR on her.”

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Sola Patel, who runs a Costcutter store next to the scene of the accident, said: “We heard an almighty scream, so we looked outside to see what was going on.

“A little girl was lying in the middle of the road, and her mother was screaming for help.

“People rushed over and started giving her CPR before the ambulance and police arrived.

“It is such a tragedy. She had her whole life ahead of her.”

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Mark Wright also heard the screams and immediately went to try and help save Lilly’s life.

Mark, 31, said: “I was just leaving my house and heard a big bang. I’ve never heard anything like it.

“The mum was screaming for help. I ran into the road and felt her pulse.

“I couldn’t feel anything so I called an ambulance. I followed their instructions to give her CPR and mouth to mouth.

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“She wasn’t breathing, it was it horrible. It looked like she was killed instantly.

“I didn’t know Lily but the whole area has been affected. It’s so sad.”

Despite warnings of speed cameras on the road, residents say there is a heavy flow of traffic, with cars often travelling at speed.

Angela Ratcliffe, who lives on an adjacent street, is calling for a petition to be made, demanding that strict speed restrictions are put in place.

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Angela, who has a ten-year-old daughter, said: “I have just started letting my daughter Kirsty walk to school by herself.

“We have talked in detail about road safety but as a mother you can never put your mind at rest.

“Kirsty had just left when I heard sirens outside. My heart dropped and I was convinced something had happened to her.

“I ran to where the accident happened and saw Lily lying in the road. I didn’t know her, but it was an absolute tragedy.

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“Something has got to be done to slow this road down or more people will be hurt. This can’t happen to anyone else.”

The road was closed for several hours while emergency services and accident investigators carried out a detailed examination of the scene.

A spokesman for West Yorkshire Police appealed for witnesses to the incident as police continue to investigate.

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