Appeal: Police Release Details Of Critically Injured Children In Fail To Stop RTC, Leeds

Sunday, August 19, 2012

Police are renewing an appeal to trace a car involved in a fail to stop collision which has left a young brother and sister fighting for their lives.

The Homicide and Major Enquiry Team (HMET) is today re-appealing for the driver of a car which struck Sabah Saleem (10) and Rayhaan Saleem (two) to contact them urgently following the collision on Brudenell road, Leeds on Saturday. 

Described as ‘the apple of his eye’ by her father, Sabah is today in a critical condition in Leeds General Infirmary on the day she was looking forward to celebrating Eid.

Her brother Rayhaan who was due to start nursery in October and is described as ‘full of energy’ is also in a critical condition following the collision at about 5.20pm yesterday.

Both children had left the family home to buy vegetables from a nearby shop with their cousin that afternoon and were returning home away from Cardigan Road when they crossed the road near the Makkah Masjid Mosque.      

While they were in the road the Rayhaan and Sabah were struck by the car, a silver or grey Mark Four Vauxhall Astra (1998-2005 series).

Both of the children, who are local to the area, suffered serious head injuries as a result of the collision which has sparked a major Police investigation in Leeds today.

Detective Superintendent Paul Taylor who is leading the enquiry, said: “We have launched a major investigation into this incident which has greatly upset the local community and caused extreme distress to Rayhaan and Sabah’s parents.

“Her parents have told us that Sabah in particular couldn’t wait to celebrate Eid today, and instead she is now fighting for her life in a hospital bed.

“Her father has told us little Sabah is the apple of his eye and as his eldest, is a big help to him and her mum.  She enjoys reading and already likes to fuss over her younger brother and sister.”

He added: “We have recovered good quality CCTV of the collision and are examining that in detail at the moment. 

“We know the car was a silver or grey 98-2005 series Vauxhall Astra and I would ask the driver or anyone who was a possible passenger in the car to come forwards immediately.

“I would urge them to contact us now before receiving a knock on the door from detectives.

“Again I would ask anyone who has information to contact us now as a matter of urgency.”

 Anyone who has information or witnessed the incident can contact the HMET on 101 or CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111.

Saturday, 18th August, 2012

Police are appealing for help to trace the driver of a car which was in collision with two young children in Leeds this afternoon

Detectives are appealing for the driver of a silver Vauxhall Astra to come forwards now following the incident which took place at about 5.20pm on Brudenell Road, in Hyde Park on Saturday August 18.

It took place after three young children were crossing the road near the Makkah Masjid Mosque when two of them were in collision with the silver Astra while they were in the road.

The children, a two-year-old boy and a 10-year-old girl who are brother and sister, were taken to Leeds General Infirmary with serious injuries where they remain in a critical condition following surgery.

Detective Superintendent Paul Taylor of the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team who is leading the investigation, said: "We are in the early stages of investigating this incident but have already secured CCTV which detectives are studying, and spoken to witnesses.

"Wide ranging enquiries by detectives and specialist officers are underway to trace the driver of this car and I would urge that driver to come forwards and contact us now before they receive a knock on the door.

He added: "The family of these youngsters are understandably extremely distressed and for their sake we are keen to trace this driver as soon as possible. If it is a relative or a friend of yours and they have told you, then please pick up the phone and call us as a matter of urgency."

Information can be given to the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team on 101 or anonymously to CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111.