Girl, 4, killed by minibus as Reading pedestrians look on in horror

The youngster suffered injuries following the incident in Reading, Berkshire, on Tuesday morning and, despite the best efforts of medics, she later died in hospital

A four-year-old girl has died after being struck by a minibus in a busy town centre.

The youngster was struck in Reading, Berkshire, and, despite the best efforts of doctors, later died in hospital.

Thames Valley Police have appealed for witnesses to the collision in Goldsmid Road, which involved a red minibus. The driver remained on the scene. No arrests have been made.

The girl's family are being supported by specialist officers. The child has not yet been named by police. A spokesperson for Thames Valley Police said: "The incident occurred between 8.15am and 8.30am yesterday (1/10), on the junction of Goldsmid Road and Russell Street, Reading. A red Ford Transit minibus collided with a pedestrian.

"The pedestrian, a four-year-old girl, sustained serious injuries and later died in hospital. Her relatives are being supported by specially trained officers. The driver remained on the scene and no arrests have been made."

Investigating officer, Detective Inspector Justin Thomas, of the Joint Operations Roads Policing Unit, said: “A young child was very sadly killed as a result of this collision. My thoughts are with the family and everyone affected.

"An investigation is underway and I am appealing to anybody who was in the local area at the time of the collision to check any dash-cam footage in case it has captured something that may help the investigation.

“You can upload digital evidence via our dedicated portal for this investigation or if you witnessed it, please contact us on 101 or make a report online via our website.”

A pathologist is to carry our a post mortem examination and an inquest will be opened and adjourned by the Berkshire coroner.

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