Boy, five, dies after being struck by van
A FIVE-year-old boy, who entered primary one only a few weeks ago, died yesterday after being hit by a van as he walked home from school.
The youngster, named locally as Lennon Toland, was taken to hospital following the accident in Glasgow’s East End but died a short time later.
Police Scotland said the 62-year-old driver of the van was not injured in the incident, which happened in Dalness Street, Shettleston, at around 3.15pm.
The road remained closed for several hours as investigations were carried out and police removed the van.
Family and friends expressed sorrow and paid tribute to the St Paul’s Primary pupil on social media last night.
Family friend Suzane Mclaren wrote on Facebook: ‘My pal’s boy has just been killed, he was only five can’t stop crying. In total shock. Fly high Lennon.’
Katie McCulloch wrote: ‘Our beautiful wee Lennon taken far too soon... Shine bright up there wee Lenny Pops RIP.’
Lyndsay Pattison added: ‘This is heartbreaking!!! That street is a death trap, something must be done. There is an industrial unit a couple of yards from the school gate and at 9 in the morning and 3 in the afternoon you can’t move in the street for vans and lorries and people dropping their kids at the school gate.’
Sergeant Jackie Dunbar, of Greater Glasgow Road Policing Unit, Govan, said: ‘From our inquiries so far, it would appear that the boy, a pupil at St Paul’s Primary on Anwoth Street, was struck by the van, which had come into Dalness Street from Tollcross Road, as it turned into a car park on Dalness Street.
‘It was picking up time at the school and there were a number of people in the area at the time of the incident.
‘I would ask that anyone who saw what happened, and who has not already been spoken to by police, to contact us via 101.’