The distraught father of a schoolboy killed in an alleged hit-and-run incident broke down in tears as he described losing his son.
Shah Zaib Hossain, 11, died seconds after leaving prayers at his local mosque with his father, Javid Hossain.
The young boy was crossing a road when he was hit by a car and thrown into the air, landing 20 yards away.
Shaking his head, Mr Hossain said: “He was a lovely boy, caring boy. Always happy, jolly, just caring really. Lovely boy.
“We said our prayers and my son was in front of me, just a few steps away. He’d not even put his foot on the footpath and he was hurled into the air.
“I knew then he was gone. My son’s gone.”
Shah Zaib was rushed to hospital but died a short time later, reports Manchester Evening News.
Subscribe to our newsletter and stay updated on the latest news and updates from around the Muslim world!
The boy’s mother, Kanwal Hossain, was also at the mosque and heard the collision, and went outside to find her stricken son in the road.
Locals said an ambulance was called but it was immediately clear that nothing could be done for the boy, who had one older sister, and a younger brother and sister.
On Tuesday, well-wishers laid flowers and cards at the scene, the boy’s father breaking down in tears as he viewed the tributes.
A Mercedes car collided with the schoolboy after he left the Hamza mosque at 4.45pm.
Shah Zaib had been praying with his father at the mosque when he was fatally injured.
Arrests
Police confirmed on Tuesday that two men, aged 19 and 27, went to Ashton Police Station separately and were both arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.
Soon afterwards a 23-year-old man was arrested in Hyde on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.
All three remain in police custody for questioning.
A dark grey Mercedes A Class was also recovered from an address in Failsworth and will be forensically examined.
Sergeant Paul Higgins from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit said: “I would like to thank the media for their coverage of this case.
“We are still at an early stage in this investigation and we still need people who were in the area of the collision to come forward if they believe they saw anything of value to the investigation.
“Witness accounts will be vitally important to this case, and though we do have people in custody I want to stress that anyone with information should come forward and contact the police.”
Anyone with information should call police on 0161 856 4741 or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
