Boy, ten, is mown down in hit and run bike horror
POLICE are hunting a hit and run motorcyclist who left a tenyear-old boy with serious injuries after mowing him down on a stolen motorbike.
The youngster was on a pedestrian crossing only yards from a police station when he was struck by the bike that had run a red light.
The biker then ditched the motorcycle and ran off.
The boy has been left with potentially life-changing injuries after the collision at 6.35pm on Saturday in Drylaw, north Edinburgh.
He was taken to Edinburgh’s Royal Hospital for Sick Children where he was last night in a stable condition but being prepared for surgery.
Yesterday a man identifying himself online as the boy’s uncle said the boy has internal injuries and several broken bones. Through the Tenants and Residespair dents in Muirhouse and Friends of West Pilton social media page his mother also issued a statement.
The mother, who has asked to remain anonymous, said: ‘He is still critical but stable. He has surgery later this morning so will update everyone later. He has been so brave. I’m so proud of him, he’s my wee trooper.’
The accident has led to anger in the north Edinburgh community, where residents say they are plagued by youths recklessly riding stolen bikes with little police intervention.
One resident said that during the summer youngsters ride stolen bikes at up to 80mph up and down the residential streets and that he has now called the police 20 times about the problem. He added: ‘Only on one occasion have the police come out – and they stood and watched and then went away.’
The situation has been highlighted by general secretary of the Scottish Police Federation Callum Steele.
He said: ‘I’ve seen countless messages from locals who at lawlessness in their areas and recognise an overstretched police service who don’t have enough resources.’
Detective Chief Inspector Paul Grainger said: ‘This boy was going about his own business, making a routine crossing of a busy road at what should have been a safe pedestrian crossing when he was mown down by the motorbike.
‘He is undergoing surgery and it is too early to assess what impact these injuries may have on his life.
‘At the time the boy was struck, two motorcycles, each with one person on board, appear to have gone through a red light at the crossing.
‘The first motorcycle, a red one, was being driven by someone wearing a red and black ski-type jacket and a full-face white crash helmet.
‘The second motorcycle was a white Triumph Daytona 650cc and the rider struck the boy on the crossing.
‘The rider was wearing a grey hooded top, dark tracksuit bottoms and a white full-face helmet. Both riders had scarves covering their faces.
‘The abandoned Triumph motorcycle was stolen earlier in Edinburgh.’
‘Despair at lawlessness’