5-year-old boy dies after being hit by van in Newcastle

Police are keen for a taxi driver who was in the area at the time to get in touch Credit: ITV Tyne Tees

A five-year-old boy has died in Newcastle after being hit by a van.At 4.50pm on Monday 24 August, police received a report of a collision involving a Ford Transit van and a child on Willow Avenue, in Fenham.Emergency services attended the scene and the boy, who police have now named as Layton Darwood, was taken to hospital but later died.A 38-year-old man remains in police custody at this time and specialist officers in our Motor Patrols department continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the collision.

Sergeant Lee Butler has asked that the community respect Layton’s family’s privacy at this difficult time. Enquiries into the circumstances of the collision are ongoing.

Willow Avenue in Fenham where a five-year-old boy died after being hit by a van Credit: ITV Tyne Tees

Police are now appealing for any witnesses to the collision to get in touch.The white van was towing a trailer with a digger on it at the time of the collision.

He added: “An investigation has been launched and we are committed to establishing the circumstances surrounding this incident.“I am now appealing to any road users who were travelling in the area around that time to come forward with any information or dashcam footage.“From CCTV, we understand a taxi was in the area at the time and the driver may have seen the van prior to the collision so we are particularly keen for them to get in touch.“Also any witnesses from nearby homes or businesses, or those passing on foot, are urged to come forward.“It may prove crucial in allowing us to determine the circumstances surrounding the collision.”