Family of 11-year-old Shahzaib Hossain killed in hit-and-run pay tribute to him

Shahzaib Hossain Credit: Family photograph

A man has broken down in tears as he described how his 11-year-old son was killed in a hit-and-run.

Shahzaib Hossain died seconds after leaving prayers at his local mosque with his father, Javid Hossain, and uncles.

He was crossing a road behind his uncle and in front of his father when he was hit by the car and thrown into the air, landing 20 yards away.

Shaking his head, Mr Hossain said:

Sign at the scene of the incident Credit: Amy Welch

Shahzaib was rushed to hospital but died a short time later.

Three men, aged 19, 23 and 27, are under arrest following the incident outside the Hamza Mosque in Moss Street West, Ashton-under-Lyne, Tameside, at 4.45pm on Monday.

A dark grey Mercedes A class car has also been recovered and will be forensically examined, police said.

Shahzaib had earlier been handing out invitations for his sister's birthday on Saturday.

The boy's mother, Kanwal Hossain, was also at the mosque and heard the collision, and went outside to find her stricken son in the road.

Locals said an ambulance was called but it was immediately clear that nothing could be done for the boy, who had one older sister, and a younger brother and sister.

Well-wishers laid flowers and cards at the scene Credit: Amy Welch

On Tuesday, well-wishers laid flowers and cards at the scene, the boy's father breaking down in tears as he viewed the tributes.

Police appealed for information and witnesses, and in the hours that followed two men, aged 19 and 27, attended Ashton police station separately and were both arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

Soon afterwards a third man, aged 23, was arrested in Hyde, also on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

All three men remain in police custody for questioning.

Sergeant Paul Higgins, from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said:

The car involved was recovered by police in Failsworth, Oldham, three miles from the scene of the incident in Ashton.

Locals said the long straight road outside the mosque is sometimes used as a "rat-run" for cars to avoid traffic in the town centre nearby.

The Mercedes was caught on nearby CCTV cameras on a local car repair garage, just seconds before the fatal crash.

Usman Ali, who runs the garage, said:

Anyone with information should call police on 0161 856 4741 or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.