11/05/2009

Woman Arrested Over Hit-And-Run Death

A 27-year-old woman is being questioned by police following the hit-and-run death of a boy in Bristol.

Sam Riddall, 11, died after being struck by a Ford Focus which mounted the pavement and ploughed into him as he walked home from a church youth service.

His parents Martin and Rachel launched a public appeal last week for the owner of the car, 27-year-old Hannah Saaf, to turn herself in.

Avon and Somerset police confirmed a woman has been arrested at 12.30pm on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, following a call from a member of the public.

A police spokesman said: "Police officers attended the area and located the woman who is now in custody at a Bristol police station.

"Officers investigating this incident would like to thank the media and the public for their help with this case."

Sam had been walking home from a church group at 9.15pm on 1 May when he was hit by the car. He had left a youth club service at the nearby Henleaze and Wesybury Community Church, and was walking along with Dr Peter Harbord, the father of one of his friends, and three other children.

The three other children - all thought to be aged 11 - were uninjured, while Dr Harbord received minor injuries and was released from hospital later that evening.

In a tribute to their son, Sam's parents described him as "the most wonderful of boys".

They also said: "We miss him very much indeed… we wish he was here with us every second of the day."

See: Parent's Appeal To Hit-And-Run Driver

(JM/BMcC)

Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

17 May 2010
Police Federation Warns On Civilianisation
Police forces may soon employ more civilians than officers, new research from the Police Federation of England and Wales reveals The data, found that numbers of police staff have virtually doubled in just under a decade and the growth in their numbers has outstripped that of police officers despite assurances.
13 August 2009
Missing Shropshire Woman Located
A search for a missing Shropshire woman has been called off after she turned up safely - and walked into a local hospital.
14 August 2015
Body Found In Search For Missing Woman
A body has been discovered in Sutton Mill by police investigating the disappearance of Jennifer Hayman. The body was found at 18:00 on Thursday. Formal identification has not yet been made, but police said that Ms Hayman's family have been informed of the find. A post-mortem is due to be carried out to establish the cause of death.
14 April 2014
Seven Injured In Police Van Collision
A police van transporting a suspect has collided with a car in Sheffield, injuring seven people. South Yorkshire Police say the incident, which happened on Abbeydale Road at about 23:30 on Sunday, involved a police van and a red Peugeot 207.
24 March 2014
Human Remains Found During Search For Missing Woman
Police Scotland have confirmed that human remains have been found during the search for missing 19-year-old Hazel North. A search had been ongoing for Ms North, who was from Dunfermline and has been missing since 04 March. Police have not yet been confirmed if the remains found in Dean Park are those of Ms North.