Police analyse CCTV of hit-and-run driver
Police investigating the death of a six-year-old boy in a hit-and-run incident in Wakefield urge the driver to come forward, as the boy’s parents mourn their “perfect little man”.
Owen Wightman was hit on Saturday afternoon as he walked home for his lunch after playing with friends. Owen’s father found him in the street just minutes from his home.
Detective Superintendent Paul Taylor, who is leading the inquiry, said Owen’s family were “absolutely devastated” and urged anyone with information to come forward.
Mr Taylor, whose team is currently analysing CCTV footage and forensic evidence from the scene, believe Owen was struck by a grey or light-coloured small hatchback vehicle which failed to stop at the scene. The driver is thought to have been a white man in his early 20s and the lone occupant of the car.
“I would appeal for the driver to come forward and give his version of events prior to us receiving the information about what vehicle it was and prior to us knocking on his door,” he said.
Owen’s parents, Joanne, 33, and Neil, 31, said in a statement today: “Our perfect little man has been taken from us. He was just perfect in every way – when he walked into a room he lit it up. He was a bundle of joy – our little ray of sunshine”.
Our perfect little man has been taken from us. He was just perfect in every way – when he walked into a room he lit it up. Neil and Joanne Wightman
“We have lost our baby – if someone will please come forward so we can lay him to rest,” the Wightmans added.
Mr Wightman, a landscape gardener, told the Yorkshire Post: “I got there and I went over to Owen and I was holding him and talking to him.
“I was holding his hand and saying ‘Owen, if you can hear me, please don’t leave us. I love you so much, you’re my little soldier.'”
Mr Taylor said: “When you see the picture of Owen you’ll realise what a perfect little boy he was. Absolute angel. Blue eyes. Blond hair.
“And you can imagine what a blow this must be to his mum and dad and his family.”
The car was coming down a hill when it hit Owen in the Chapelthorpe area of Wakefield, West Yorkshire, at about 12.20pm on Saturday, he said.
I would appeal for the driver to come forward and give his version of events prior to us receiving the information about what vehicle it was and prior to us knocking on his door. West Yorkshire Police
The vehicle then took a left turn in Haveroid Lane – just 100 yards from the scene – where it stopped and a witness saw the man get out to check his vehicle, he said.
Mr Taylor said: “There was certainly damage to the car but, again, these are matters that I want the driver to tell us about.”
Mr Taylor also appealed for anyone who may have seen someone trying to repair a car of this type in the past two days to come forward.
“It’s a terrible thing that has happened. I appeal for the driver to come forward and give us his version of events,” he said.
The family said Owen leaves two brothers – Jack, 12, and one-year-old Thomas.
West Yorkshire police have asked anyone with information to call 0845 606 0606.