It looked like a bomb exploded say family of boys in hit-run horror
THE anguished family of two young brothers killed in a hit-and-run crash returned to the scene yesterday and said: ‘ If there is a heaven up there we hope that they’re together.’
The little boys’ aunts and grandfather relived the harrowing moment a car mowed down Corey, six, and Casper, two, as they crossed the road with their mother Louise on their way to play in a park.
They said the aftermath of the horrific crash, which left debris scattered across the road, looked like a bomb had gone off.
Chelsea Platt-May, 27, who was with her nephews, said: ‘There was the sound of crushing plastic and screeching tyres.
‘It took a few moments to realise what had happened. As soon as we heard Louise scream that’s when we all woke up.
‘I remember looking at Corey and hopefully he knew that somebody was there next to him in his last moments. All I hope is that they weren’t in pain, that their last thoughts were happy ones and if there is a heaven up there I hope that they’re together.’
Their devastated mother released a statement yesterday paying tribute to her two little boys. She had been holding Corey’s hand and pushing Casper in a toy Mini Cooper, which was left scattered on the road along with their shoes.
She said: ‘Corey was an amazing boy. He loved school more than any kid I know. But
‘He was never without a football’
his main passion in life was his football. He has been playing for a local team since he was four but since the day he could hold a ball he was never without one. He will be deeply missed by all that had the pleasure of knowing him.’
Paying tribute to her two-year-old, Mrs Platt-May said: ‘Casper was a cheeky little boy, always getting into trouble and driving his brothers crazy. But he was so loving and constantly told his family how much he loved them.
‘He loved walking everywhere with his wellies and splashing in the puddles. His smile could light up any room.’
Yesterday, dozens visited the residential street in Wyken, Coventry, to leave flowers. Among them was the boys’ grandfather Kim May, who left a football and a card which read: ‘Rest in peace guys, Grandad misses you so much, he will always love you.’
He told how he rushed to the scene after hearing about the crash. He said: ‘It looked like a bomb had just exploded. Their lives have been taken away so young, it’s unbelievable.’
Aunt Tia Fletcher, 22, said: ‘We saw this black car come speeding round the corner and it just didn’t stop, never seemed to slow down.
‘Casper was in his Mini Cooper toy car and it just smashed it to pieces. It was like a war zone.’
The boys lived round the corner from the scene with their mother, a care home worker, father Reece, 30, a taxi driver, and two older brothers, Connor and Cooper.
A 15-year-old black Ford Focus with a smashed windscreen and the airbags deployed was found abandoned nearby.
A local couple, a man aged 53 and a 41-year- old woman, were later arrested on suspicion of drink- driving and causing death by dangerous driving. They remained in custody last night.
Both boys were taken to hospital after the crash at 2pm on Thursday but Casper was pronounced dead shortly after arrival, while Corey later died at Birmingham Children’s Hospital.
A witness told how he tried to resuscitate one of the boys.
Avtar Chagger, 54, said: ‘I gave the boy the kiss of life. There are no words to describe the feeling, they were children.’ Witnesses claimed the car was doing ‘at least 60mph’ in the street, which residents say is plagued by speeding drivers.