Balloons released in honour of crash-death boy, eight

FRIENDS of a little boy who died after being hit by a car are set to remember him with a balloon release in his honour today.

Safiullah Asif, eight, died in hospital last Friday, a day after he was hit by a BMW as he crossed the road close to his family home in Ashton-under-Lyne.

Two men were arrested in connection with Safiullah’s death, following the crash on Ryecroft Street. Now a balloon release has been organised for this evening, to honour his memory and give his young friends the chance to say goodbye to him.

It has been organised by Rachael Finnigan, whose son Riley was best friends with Safiullah, and a group of parents whose children were also close to the little boy.

Rachael said: “Safiullah would always come out of school with a smile on his face. My son always told me the things that he had done to make him laugh and smile.

“He was such a bright, happy little boy and he was very popular in school.”

Anyone is welcome to attend the balloon release, which is being held with the consent of the family, at 7pm in West End Park in Ashton.

Rachael added: “We are doing this for the children, it is not something they should have to experience. We’re going to attach notes to the balloons and release them into the sky.

“It’s so close to home, we need to rally round for him.”

A 33-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence and driving without third party insurance, Greater Manchester Police said on Saturday.

A 21-year-old man has also been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving in connection with the incident, they added. Both have been bailed pending further inquiries.