A 16-year-old schoolboy who died in a suspected hit-and-run ‘was on his way to meet his father at nearby shops’ when he was mowed down by a car.
Abdullah Yaha Al-Zaidy was tragically struck down by a grey Audi while walking along the pavement on Staniforth Road, in Sheffield, on Wednesday afternoon.
Detectives said the Audi appeared to swerve towards three e-bike riders, colliding with one of them before hitting the boy and driving off.
Abdullah was rushed to hospital, where he died of his injuries, while an 18-year-old e-bike rider suffered serious injuries.
Yesterday, South Yorkshire Police arrested a 20-year-old man on suspicion of murder after a man and woman, both in their 40s, were arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.
Detectives believe the vehicle deliberately swerved into a group of road users moments before hitting the pedestrian.
Abdullah, known locally as Abdul, was reportedly walking to a nearby shop to meet his father with the two having plans to later eat together, when the tragedy happened.
The community paid tribute to him in an announcement on social media saying: ‘The teenager who was struck by a vehicle in Darnall has been named as 16-year-old Abdullah Yaha Al-Zaidy.
Abdullah Yaha Al-Zaidy was walking along the pavement on Staniforth Road on Wednesday afternoon when a grey Audi appeared to swerve towards a group of e-bike riders before ploughing into the boy
The Audi driving in the opposite direction, appears to swerve into the lane the riders are on and hits one of them
Police at the scene of the ‘hit and run’ on Staniforth Road, Darnall, Sheffield, on Wednesday evening
‘Abdullah, known locally as Abdul, was a beloved member of the Al-Shafeey Centre mosque. He was reportedly walking to a nearby shop to meet his father, with plans to eat together, when the tragic accident occurred.
‘May Allah grant him the highest ranks of Jannah and grant his family and friends strength and patience during this unimaginable time.’
It added: ‘It is deeply heartbreaking to see his photo—a boy always smiling, always full of joy.
‘He worked tirelessly alongside his father and had plans to begin college soon.’
Video footage shared online appears to show two e-bike riders and a motorcyclist travelling along the road before the grey Audi, driving in the opposite direction, suddenly veers across the carriageway.
In harrowing footage, the motorcyclist narrowly misses the car while one of the e-bike riders is hit head on, being thrown into the air and into the hedge in front of a property.
Less than a second later, the driver continues on a further 80ft, crashing into the 16-year-old who had just stopped walking on the pavement.
Video shared online appears to show two e-bike riders and a motorcyclist driving in one direction
Evidence signs were scene on the floor at the scene of the horror crash
The incident happened shortly after 4.50pm on Wednesday on Staniforth Road in the Darnall area
In another video, after the rider is hit by the car, a pedestrian is seen being caught in the cross hairs
Senior Investigating Officer in the case, Detective Chief Inspector Benjamin Wood, said: ‘This is a tragic incident in which an entirely innocent bystander, who was going about his daily business, has sadly lost his life. Our thoughts are with the boy’s loved ones, and we remain focused on securing justice for them.
‘We know that this incident will have caused concern in the local community, and we have a team of detectives working at pace to piece together the circumstances which unfolded.
‘We’re aware of footage being shared online and I’d like to reiterate our message to the public to withhold from speculating or circulating videos which may cause distress to the boy’s family.
‘If you have any footage, imagery or information that may help our investigation, then please share this directly with us – it may form an important part of our enquiries. We are also keen to hear from the riders of two electric bikes who were in the area at the time of the incident.’
Mojid Khan said the boy came to rest at the gates of his Staniforth Road wholesale business, and his staff were the first on the scene after hearing the collision.
He said he arrived half an hour later and was shocked to see what his CCTV system had recorded.
Mr Khan said yesterday: ‘When it happens on your doorstep, literally, it does affect you. It’s quite horrific to see how it happens.’
Staniforth Road was closed following the serious collision on Wednesday
South Yorkshire Police said the collision involved a grey Audi, which ‘failed to stop at the scene’
He said: ‘I think it’s a local lad that’s passed away and another local lad that got injured on a motorbike. It’s shocking for us as a community.
‘The disturbing thing is that this is not the first time that this has happened. It seems every few months something like this is going on.
‘I think that’s a matter for our politicians to do something about.’
He said: ‘Tomorrow is our Eid festival. That’s going to hit them (the boy’s family) even harder.
‘It should be a happy day. I’m really sad for the family. Their loss is going to be that much greater tomorrow.’
Lauren, 31, who did not wish to give her surname, was giving CPR to the teenager and shouting to ask people to help.
She said: ‘I don’t want to go in to detail, it was traumatic – a young, beautiful boy has lost his life to something he wasn’t even involved in.’
