07/05/2009

Parent's Appeal To Hit-And-Run Driver

The parents of an 11-year-old boy who was knocked down and killed in a hit-and-run incident have appealed to the woman police are attempting to trace, to give herself up.

Sam Riddall was hit by a white Ford Focus on Eastfield Road, Westbury-on-Trym, on 1 May, 9.15pm.

Police say the car was registered to Hannah Saaf, 27, whom police say has been seen in Bristol since the incident.

During an emotional appeal, Sam's mother Rachel said mother-of-two Saaf should contact police "so we can begin to put our lives back together".

"Hannah, if you're watching this or you can hear this, please come forward," Mrs Riddall added.

Speaking at the police press conference Mrs Riddall's husband Martin spoke of the "impossible time" the family was going through since his son's death.

He added: "We've got three other children full of questions we can't begin to answer.

"Sam was the most wonderful of boys and we loved him very much. His smile could light up the darkest room and his attitude to life shone out of him like a light.

"He was passionate about football and loved his brothers and us and knew he was loved very much indeed."

Sam had been walking home from a church group at 9.15pm when he was hit by the car.

He also said that while the family’s religious faith was a comfort, "we miss him very much indeed and we wish that he was with us, every second of the day".

Det Ch Insp Gary Stephens of Avon and Somerset Police, said: "Despite intensive inquiries in Bristol and other forces Hannah's still not been found.

"I can confirm that we’ve had reports of Hannah being seen in Bristol and further afield since the incident. We are actively following up these lines of inquiry."

(JM/BMcC)

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