Hit-and-run outside school kills boy, 12
A 12-year-old boy has died after a hit-and-run collision near his school. Police have launched a murder inquiry after the incident outside Debden Park High School in Loughton, Essex, yesterday. Five other people were injured but their conditions are not believed to be life-threatening. Essex Police said officers were called to the incident involving a silver Ford shortly after 3.20pm. Helen Gascoyne, the head teacher, said counsellors will be available to support students.
POLICE were last searching for a 51-year-old man in connection with the “deliberate” hit-and-run collision in which a 12-year-old was killed.
Four teenagers, who are thought to be pupils at Debden Park High School in Loughton, and a 53-year-old woman were also injured when the vehicle ploughed into them outside the school.
Helen Gascoyne, the school’s head, said the community is “devastated” by the death of one of its students.
Chief Superintendent Tracey Harman last night urged 51-year-old Terry Glover from Loughton to hand himself in and revealed they are searching for a Ford KA with the registration LS08 OKW.
Police are investigating whether it is connected to a similar incident, amid claims a car tried to mount the kerb near another school in the area.
She said: “At Essex Police and on behalf of all of those called to the school our thoughts are with ... his family and friends and all those affected by what happened this afternoon.
“This has been an incredibly difficult day for the community and we ask everybody to continue to show their kindness and bravery that we have seen today. We believe that the collision was deliberate and as such we have launched a murder investigation.”
She said police had searched a number of addresses in an attempt to find Mr Glover.
Ch Supt Harman said: “I would like to make a direct plea to Mr Glover, if he is watching or listening to this: please contact us. We need to talk to you.”
Police were called to the scene shortly after the end of the school day, at around 3.20pm yesterday.
Essex and Herts Air Ambulance medics assisted staff from East of England Ambulance Service, while members of the public also gave medical help at the scene.
A 12-year-old boy was taken to hospital where he died – while two 15-yearold boys, a 13-year-old boy, a 16-year-old girl and a 53-year-old woman were also hurt.
Essex Police said they were treated at the scene or in hospital, and their injuries are not believed to be life-changing or life-threatening.
Debden Park is a mixed academy school for pupils aged 11 to 18, which specialises in the performing arts and received a rating of “outstanding” in its most recent Ofsted inspection, according to its prospectus.
A man whose daughter escaped injury after being clipped by the car’s wing mirror told Essex Live: “A Ford KA mounted the pavement behind her. Her friend was bounced onto the bonnet before another boy was hit very bad.
“The car drove off down the road and the police arrived quickly. My daughter is safe, but the wing mirror clipped my daughter. Her friend got thrown off the bonnet.
“It was awful to witness. Everyone is in shock.’