Toddler run over and killed in hotel car park

A 17-MONTH-OLD boy died after being hit by a car outside a hotel – as family members screamed at the driver and beat their fists on the vehicle in anguish.

Witnesses dialled 999 after hearing ‘the most terrible scream’ when the toddler was struck. The tragedy happened outside an Ibis hotel at Salford Quays, Greater Manchester, just after 9pm on Thursday.

Police are treating it as a ‘tragic accident’ and the driver has not been arrested.

The little boy is believed to have been hit by a Toyota Rav-4 four-wheel-drive vehicle as his family made their way to the hotel’s rear entrance.

The Toyota is believed to have been moving ‘very slowly’ around the car park when it struck the boy, who has not been named. Witnesses said the vehicle was driven by a man, but police have not revealed any details about the driver.

One resident of flats overlooking the car park said: ‘We heard the screaming from our flat, it sounded like someone was in pain. We thought it was an acid attack or something like that.

‘I came out and saw a woman hitting the car. She was screaming and crying.

‘She was absolutely distraught and it’s horrendous.’

Alec Turnton, 35, who called 999, said he heard a bang, then screaming. He added: ‘I remember just hearing the most terrible scream I’ve ever heard in my life from adults. We just heard someone screaming, “she’s killed him” or “he’s killed him” – I’m not sure which.

‘There were people screaming and there were two women. They were screaming and holding their heads. I think they took the baby inside the hotel. It’s just tragic and awful. I just knew someone was dead.’

Greater Manchester Police said the toddler died at the scene despite the efforts of paramedics.

‘Most terrible scream’