Boy, 11, killed in Belfast car accident

A man in his 40s remained in police custody today after a car struck and killed an 11-year-old boy in west Belfast.

The young boy was walking along the Springfield Road with his father, two sisters and an eight-year-old girl when a Vauxhall Astra travelling in the same direction ploughed into them.

The boy’s 13-year-old sister and the young friend remain in hospital where their condition is described as critical.

The collision took place near the junction of the Falls Road yesterday at about 7.40pm.

A police spokesman said the vehicle had swerved and hit a set of traffic lights in Springfield Road.

The car is understood to have continued along, dragging the lights with it, collided with the children walking on the pavement, before veering back across the road and coming to a halt when it struck a parked car.

Part of Springfield Road was sealed off by police for examination.

Speaking at the scene, Chief Insp Mark Gilmore said: “My sympathies are with the friends and families of those involved in this accident.

“Three children were involved, a boy has died and two others are in a critical condition.”

The accident took place within yards of the Royal Victoria Hospital and the children were taken there for treatment.

Police at New Barnsley station have appealed to anyone who witnessed the incident to come forward.