Police in Northern Ireland have this week launched an appeal for witnesses, after a 16-month-old was involved in a hit-and-run in Belfast.
According to the Belfast Live, little Thomas Smylie was run over twice while feeding ducks at Corbet Lough, Banbridge, with his father and sister.
Thomas is said to have been on reins at the time that the car reversed and rolled over his leg. Dad Paul screamed out to alert the driver and passenger, but the car moved forward and rolled over the tot’s leg once more in the process. The car then sped off without checking to see if the child was okay.
Paul contacted the emergency services, and his son was rushed to hospital. Thankfully, Thomas’ injuries was not extensive – he suffered ligament damage, but it could have been so much worse.
In an interview with the newspaper, Paul said: “A doctor told us it was a million-to-one chance he didn’t have a broken leg, or smashed leg – or worse. Anywhere above the abdomen area, he said, he was in grave danger. We count ourselves so, so lucky. I’m absolutely disgusted.”
The authorities have now issued an appeal to members of the public who may have witnessed the incident, to come forward and help with their enquiries.
“We would like to ask for your help in relation to a road traffic collision at Corbet Lake, Banbridge on Sunday 13 March 2016. A toddler was knocked down by a blue Volkswagen-type car and the driver left the scene at around 4:20pm,” a representative said in a statement.
Anyone with information can get in touch by dialling 101.
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