Boy, three, dies in hit-and-run

The car struck the boy on this section of Willowbrook Drive

A three-year-old boy has died in hospital after being hit by a car which failed to stop.

The incident involving a Peugeot 307 happened in the St Mellons area of Cardiff at 1610 BST on Friday.

South Wales Police said the car was found about five miles (8km) away in the Roath area. Officers have spoken to the driver and inquiries continue.

The boy is believed to have been with two other young children in Willowbrook Drive when he was struck.

He suffered serious injuries and was taken to the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, following the incident near the junction with Caerleon Close.

The metallic blue Peugeot was then driven off along Willowbrook Drive in the direction of Willowbrook Junior and Infant School.

It was later found in Arabella Street in Roath.

Inspector Chris Daniel, of South Wales Police, said: "We have spoken to the driver and we are making further inquiries.

People began laying flowers and tributes at the scene of the tragedy

"I am not able to confirm what actions we are taking in respect of the driver at this time."

On Saturday afternoon, police confirmed the youngster, who has not been named, had died in hospital.

Police appealed for witnesses and also want to hear from anyone who saw the boy before the incident or the Peugeot being driven in St Mellons before or afterwards.

Within minutes of the news of the boy's death, local residents began to lay flowers at the scene.

Gayle Hasson, who lives in Caerleon Close, said she was alerted to the incident by a woman who had been in the car behind the one which struck the boy.

Ms Hasson told the BBC News website: "I was cleaning my car when this woman ran up and said what had happened."

She said she grabbed a quilt and ran to the boy and gave him resuscitation until the ambulance arrived.

The car was later found in Roath, some five miles (8km) away

She added: "His little friend was on the wall. The woman took the little boy home to his mother's house."

Ms Hasson, who has lived in the area for 19 years, said the stretch of road had a problem with speeding traffic.

She said: "Sometimes in the evening we can't have our windows open because they are racing past.

"They go up to the roundabout, turn round and it's just laid out for them.

"There's no zebra crossing, there's no crossing for the children. I know of so many people knocked down here now, including an elderly lady.

"It's about time they put in some speed cameras or speed bumps."

Anyone with information is asked to contact the eastern sector roads policing unit on 029 20 222111.