Boy, 11, was ‘thrown into air in sickening hit-and-run crash on way to school in Bow’

The crash happened near Bow Road Tube station
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An 11-year-old schoolboy was left fighting for his life in hospital after being sent flying through the air in a “sickening” hit and run as he walked to school.

Police and the London Air Ambulance were scrambled after the child was hit while crossing Bow Road, east London, at just after 8.30am on Friday.

School friends rushed to the boy’s side before paramedics arrived to treat him for a serious head injury. He was taken to an east London hospital where his injuries are said to be “life-changing”.

The driver of the car involved left the scene. Officers later found a silver Audi A2 abandoned by Bow cemetery, with a large dent in its rear left side.

Hussan Talhil, 28, was waiting at a red light when he witnessed the “sickening” collision.

He told the Standard: “It was the worst thing you could ever see, I can’t stop thinking about it. It all happened in slow motion, I saw the boy about to make the step onto the pavement to safety.

“There was no way he could expect the car come from that direction, he was looking the other way.

“It was all over in four seconds.”

Mr Talhil said a woman rushed into the road to get to the schoolboy and administer first aid whilst others phoned the emergency services.

He added: “The boy’s school friend, who had made the crossing, ran back and burst into tears – he was shocked and just didn’t know what else to do.

“I hope he recovers. He was just trying to go to school and this happened it will stay with him for life - it’s sickening.”

An 18-year-old man was later arrested at an address in Tower Hamlets on suspicion of dangerous driving and failing to stop. He was bailed to a date in March.

A police spokesman said: “Officers are keen to speak with a dog-walker who may have seen the car being abandoned near Bow Cemetery.

“The woman was wearing a blue or green jacket and walking a large black dog.”

Anyone with information that may assist the investigation should call detectives from the Roads and Transport Policing Command on 020 8597 4874. To remain anonymous, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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