Tributes to child killed in accident

Four-year-old Hishaam Ifzal Mohammed died on Monday afternoon following the collision outside his home on Cuthbert Bank Road in Hillsborough.

Police believe his mother got out of the taxi to get money from her flat to pay the driver and Hishaam followed while his sister remained inside the cab.

The youngster was hit as the hackney carriage reversed in a car park outside the block of flats.

He was taken to Sheffield Children's Hospital with head injuries but later pronounced dead.

Flowers have been left at the scene alongside a moving note which read "Hishaam. Never forgotten, always in our hearts".

A police board appealing for witnesses or anyone with information marked the spot where tragedy struck. Officers have interviewed several people who were nearby at the time of the incident.

Hishaam's mother broke down in tears when she tried to talk about what had happened and said she was too devastated to speak.

One resident spoke of her horror at what had happened and said everyone in the area was horrified by the tragedy.

"What has happened is really awful. I came out of my house just after it had happened and everyone was just shocked," she said.

The accident happened outside the South Yorkshire Housing Association office on the junction between Cuthbert Bank Road and Bamforth Street, off Langsett Road.

Chief executive Tony Stacey confirmed last night that South Yorkshire Housing Association staff were comforting the family.

"We are extremely sad to learn of the tragic accident that occurred yesterday," said Mr Stacey.

An inquest into the youngster's death was opened and adjourned by a coroner at Sheffield's Medico Legal Centre yesterday afternoon.

A police spokesman said the taxi driver who was arrested at the scene on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and bailed pending further enquiries.

"A family liaison officer has been appointed to help the family," said the spokesman.

Anyone who witnessed the incident or who has any information should contact the accident witness line on 0114 220 2970.

Visit

www.thestar.co.uk/video to see our interview with Sgt Andy Noble of South Yorkshire Police Road Policing Group.