Image caption,
Flowers, toys and tributes have been left at Turnstone Road
By Vanessa Pearce & Joanne Writtle
BBC News, West Midlands
A 14-year-old boy has been arrested after a seven-year-old girl was fatally hurt in a hit-and-run in the West Midlands.
The child was hit by a motorcycle in Walsall and died later in hospital.
The crash happened shortly after 19:00 BST on Thursday, West Midlands Police said. Police are appealing for help to find the motorbike.
Two mothers who live nearby have described trying to help save the youngster following the crash.
“This is an absolutely tragic event which has resulted in the death of an innocent child,” said Det Sgt Paul Hughes.
The boy was detained within two hours, on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, and remains in custody, police said.
Two bikes have been recovered close to the scene, police said, but neither has been identified yet as the one involved.
“I know someone out there in the local community knows where the bike is,” said the officer.
Image caption,
The girl was hit and fatally hurt in Turnstone Road on Thursday evening
Crowds of people, including children, gathered at the scene to leave flowers, toys and tributes, many in a state of shock.
Anna Bennett, a nurse at Walsall Manor Hospital, was visibly shaken as she told of how she tried to help the girl.
“[The crash has] destroyed the community,” she said.
Jade Simkiss, who also tried to help, added: “Our condolences go to the family and we hope no-one ever has to witness what we witnessed.”
Image caption,
Jade Simkiss (left) and Anna Bennett tried to help the youngster at the scene
The force said it was looking for a blue and black road bike after the crash on Turnstone Road, in the Bloxwich area, but are yet to determine the exact make and model.
“I would urge anyone with any information, however large or small, to make contact with us,” said the officer.
“This is not about protecting people, this is about doing the right thing,” he added, urging the local community to “come together” and work with him.
“This is a heart-breaking situation that no family should ever go through and my thoughts are with the family of this young girl.”
‘Heart-breaking situation’
Ch Supt Phil Dolby added that he and his officers had been “hugely upset by this needless tragedy”.
The death has had a “devastating impact” on the girl’s family, who are being supported by specially-trained officers, he added.
Image source, PA Media
Image caption,
A 14-year-old boy remains in police custody
He echoed the appeal to help find the bike “as a matter of urgency”.
“There’s somebody out there who thinks it’s acceptable to help hide the bike that killed a seven-year-old, and failed to stop, being driven illegally,” he said.
“We were there very, very quickly, and there were lots of members of the public. That bike would be in our possession right now but for somebody taking deliberate action, in my view, to frustrate that from happening.”
Residents complained about youths on motorbikes previously being a problem in the area.
A number of recent police operations had taken about 30 illegally-ridden motorbikes off roads, said Ch Supt Dolby.
“I want to send a clear message to the public that young people in the area are able to ride these bikes because, in many cases, adults are giving them the bikes to ride.
“They also bear responsibility for the potential consequences and this needs to stop.”
Image caption,
The seven-year-old girl was found in a critical condition and later died in hospital
West Midlands Ambulance Service said the girl was in a critical condition when paramedics arrived.
“She was receiving basic life support and ambulance crews immediately took over to provide advanced life support and trauma care,” said a spokesperson.
The seven-year-old was taken to Birmingham Children’s Hospital where she died of her injuries, they added.
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