Man arrested by police investigating hit-and-run incident that killed 16-year-old boy

A man has been arrested by police investigating the hit and run death of a 16-year-old boy.

Callum Hilton, 16, was struck by a car shortly before 6.30pm yesterday in Bury, Greater Manchester.

Greater Manchester Police said a man had been arrested in connection with the incident.

Speaking shortly before news of the arrest emerged, Detective Inspector Amber Waywell of Greater Manchester Police said the youngster's family were "going through hell".

The officer added: "Callum's mother and grandfather just want to know what happened to him.

"It's just awful. I can't imagine what his family, his mother, will be going through.

"A young boy goes out on a Saturday evening and doesn't come home.

"She must be besides herself with grief and we are trying to support her as best we can."

Callum was heading to a party which had been publicised on Facebook with two friends and his cousin.

The boys, three aged 16 and one aged 18, were all from the Middleton and Heywood areas of Greater Manchester.

Callum was crossing Stand Lane in Radcliffe, near the Hawthorn Hotel, when he was hit by a silver or white Peugeot.

"We don't know exactly what address they were going to," the officer said.

"The reason they were crossing the road was because they needed to get directions and they saw the hotel on the opposite side of the road.

"From viewing the CCTV footage Callum and his cousin had made it half-way across the road and the other two were waiting to cross.

"His cousin was slightly ahead so was narrowly missed and Callum was struck by the vehicle."

She added: "It is a busy road, it's a fast road, it's a slope.

Callum was thrown about 20-ft across the road as he was struck by the car which was travelling down the hill towards Radcliffe town centre.

He sustained a serious head injury and was taken to hospital where he died shortly after midnight. His family were with him at the time, policesaid.

A GMP spokesman said: "Shortly after 1.30pm today, a man was arrested in the Radcliffe area of Bury on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

"He remains in police custody for questioning.

"An unoccupied silver Peugeot that was initially recovered near to Bury town centre shortly after the incident has now been ruled out of the inquiry.

"It is now believed another silver Peugeot 206 was the vehicle involved."

The tragedy happened on a busy main road with several 30mph speed limit warning signs.

A police notice appealing for witnesses to the incident was placed on a lamppost below a flashing "slow down/30mph" sign.

Nearby a bunch of flowers had been left in memory of the teen.

The card read "Callum xxx".

A man who lives opposite the scene said cars were "always" speeding down the road, a hill leading into Radcliffe town centre.

He added that there had been three car accidents on that stretch of road in the last week alone.

Anyone with information should call GMP on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

In a statement released by GMP, Callum's grandad Graham Hilton said: "We are absolutely devastated at this time at the tragic loss of Callum, our beloved son, brother and grandson.

"Words are not enough to express how we feel at this time over the tragic death of Callum.

"We ask that we be allowed to grieve at this sad time, but thank all his friends for their kind words and support."

PA