12 year old dies in hit and run outside school

A 12-year-old boy has died in a horror hit-and-run crash near a school today.

Four people including an old woman have suffered injuries in the same crash.

Their injuries are not believed to be life threatening.

A murder probe has now been launched after the silver Ford KA involved left the scene near Debden Park High School in Loughton, Essex.

The road remains closed in both directions and a large emergency services presence – reportedly including eight police cars – is still at the scene.

The 12-year-old victim was taken to hospital, where he later died.

Police are now searching for a silver Ford Ka believed to have been involved in the crash on Willingale Road and are trying to identify the driver.

Helen Gascoyne, headteacher at Debden Park, later confirmed the boy was a pupil at the school.

She said: “As a school and a community we are devastated to say that as a result of the incident in Willingale Road this afternoon, it is with great sadness that we must report that a 12-year-old student from our school has sadly died.

“Our thoughts are with the family and all those affected. As a school we continue to work with the police supporting the ongoing investigation.

“The school will be open tomorrow with a number of counsellors on hand to support our community.”

The force urged the public not to speculate on the circumstances or people involved in what it described as a “truly shocking” incident.

Officers remain at the scene and have advised people to avoid the area. The road remains closed in both directions around the school.