BOY HIT BY CAR IN CRITICAL CONDITION POLICE ARREST MAN AFTER ACCIDENT
A MAN has been arrested after a boy of nursery school age was left in a critical condition in hospital when he was struck by a car in Co Down.
The incident happened on Movilla Road in Newtownards at around 5.20pm yesterday at a set of traffic lights close to a primary school.
The child was hit by a silver Volkswagen Golf.
Police said given the seriousness of the incident, no traffic was being allowed down the road last night.
The man was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving, the PSNI said.
DUP councillor Naomi Armstrong Cotter visited the scene and talked to police.
She said her church, Ards Elim, was praying for the youngster and the community was offering its support.
She told the Belfast Telegraph: “And they are our hopes and sincere prayers.
“It’s all you can do. You want to do more, but you can’t.
“So we are all taking the time now to pray sincerely and fervently for the child.
“All you can do is pray and ask God for mercy.
“As a mummy, my heart is physically aching.
“I’ve felt just physically ill at the thought of this.
“I’ve two children aged three and four, all their Christmas presents bought and upstairs,
and you can’t bear the thought of what this family are going through. “Our hearts go out to them. “Since I posted about it on Facebook there have been lots of messages of people offering their prayers and hoping.”
Community workers in the area last night described a sense of shock as word spread of the incident.
They said they had been campaigning for traffic measures to be introduced on the 40mph road that runs past the primary school, a housing estate and shops.
The Ambulance Service said it sent crews following an emergency call.
“Two rapid response paramedics, two doctors and an A&E crew were dispatched to the scene,” it said.
“After initial treatment at the scene the child has been taken by ambulance to the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children.”
Police said the road is likely to remain closed for some time. Diversions were last night in place at Old Movilla Road and Stratheden Heights.
The PSNI said: “Police are appealing for witnesses following a road traffic collision on the Movilla Road in Newtownards on Thursday, December 13.
“The collision involving a silver-coloured Volkswagen Golf and a young pedestrian occurred at around 5.20pm.
“The pedestrian has since been taken to hospital and remains in a critical condition.
“A man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of dangerous driving and is currently in custody assisting with police enquiries.
“Officers would ask anyone who witnessed the collision or who may have dash-cam footage to contact them at Newtownards on 101, quoting reference number 1000 13/12/18.”