Tributes to ‘precious’ girl who died in ‘hit-and-run’
DRIVER INVOLVED IN FATAL COLLISION STILL AT LARGE, IT IS BELIEVED
FLOWERS, balloons, and messages have been left in memory of a “precious” teenage girl who was killed in a suspected hit-and-run incident in Derby at the weekend.
Keely Birks, who was 17, died after she was struck by a car in Harvey Road, Allenton, at around 8pm on Saturday.
A vigil took place at the scene of the crash on Sunday, where dozens paid their respects to the youngster.
Among the tributes were flowers laid by Keely’s parents, with a message which read: “Keely our precious, beautiful, funny, young daughter. Took too soon, forever in our hearts, mum, dad and family.”
Another card at the scene said: “Rest in peace princess. You were taken way too soon. I’m going to miss you so much. I love you lots Keely. It’s your world.”
The Derby Telegraph spoke to a resident of Harvey Road, who did not wish to be named, who emotionally retold the events of Saturday evening.
They said: “My husband said ‘There’s somebody in the road’ and there was a gentleman on his phone who must have phoned emergency services and the next thing the police were here and they were working on her straight away.
“It is so upsetting. He was working on her then three ambulances came and they tried their best with that young lass but it wasn’t to be.”
Derbyshire police are investigating the incident and have located a Vauxhall Astra which is thought to have been involved.
It is understood that the driver of the vehicle is still at large.
Derbyshire police’s specialist collision investigation unit is appealing for witnesses to the collision and want to speak to “any drivers with dashcam footage that may hold vital evidence”. People who may be able to help are asked to contact Derbyshire police on 101, or via the force’s website or social media channels, quoting crime reference number 21*677767.