Truly heartbroken
Hit-and-run victim, 4, dies in mum’s arms as cops hunt killer car thieves
A FOUR-year-old girl died in her mum’s arms after she was knocked down in a hit-and-run crash.
Violet-Grace Youens was crossing the road with grandmother Angela French when a suspected stolen car crashed into them. Ms French was seriously injured and remains in hospital.
Yesterday the little girl’s mum Rebecca Youens, 29, announced the death on Facebook. She said: “My beautiful baby girl passed away in my arms on 25/03/2017 at 23:38.
“Thank you for all your well wishes... she was just too poorly.
“However, my brave baby girl saved two lives by donating her kidneys and pancreas. I am truly heartbroken but proud of my little fighter!
“Violet-Grace Susan Youens 02/10/2012 – 25/03/2017 RIP baby girl”
Rebecca pleaded with friends to help “catch these scumbags”, as police released CCTV images of two men thought to be fleeing the scene.
A statement from Merseyside Police later said: “We can confirm the fouryear-old girl injured in a serious road traffic collision in St Helens on Friday has sadly passed away.
“Violet-Grace Youens, who is from the St Helens area, passed away in hospital late last night, Saturday 25th March, following the collision. She leaves a 21-month-old brother Oliver.
“Violet’s pancreas and both kidneys were donated following her death.
“An investigation remains under way and a number of lines of inquiry are being pursued by officers.”
The accident happened on Friday at around 3pm. A police patrol had just spotted the suspected stolen black Ford Fiesta before it crashed into the pedestrians and hit a lamppost. Dad-of-two Chris Lang was leaving his house when he saw the Fiesta plough into the two victims. He said: “The car came through the lights – it must have been going 70 to 80mph – and hit the woman and child, who were crossing the road.
“They have then smashed the car into bollards and ran off...
“Police and the air ambulance were on the scene within minutes. It was an awful scene and distressing. This is a bad road. My house has been hit three times by cars. I just hope they are brought to justice for what they have done.”
Friend Nicki Appleton wrote on Facebook: “I am totally devastated Becky. When we last spoke, you told me Violet was your little best friend. Your little best friend will be by your side forever and always. She will live on in the two people’s lives she has helped to save...”