Harley Watson: 12-year-old boy killed in 'deliberate' hit-and-run outside Essex school named

One of five other people who were injured believes the driver targeted the group

The 12-year-old boy killed in a hit-and-run outside an Essex secondary school has been named as Harley Watson.

Harley was among several people mowed down by a car outside Debden Park High School in Loughton. He was taken to hospital but later died.

None of the other people hurt in the incident, including two 15-year old boys, a 13-year old boy, a 16-year old girl, and a 23-year old woman, are believed to have life-threatening injuries.

A 51-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder, attempted murder and causing death by dangerous driving.

Essex Police had previously appealed for Terry Glover, 51, to come forward in relation to the incident.

Debden Park head teacher Helen Gascoyne said the school had been “devastated” by the death of one of its students and that pupils would be offered counselling on Tuesday.

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

Police were called to the scene in Willingale Road shortly after the end of the school day, at around 3.20pm on Monday to reports a car had poughed into a crowd of pedestrians.

East of England Ambulance Service sent 15 ambulances and 10 other vehicles, while three air ambulances were mobilised.

Chief superintendent Tracey Harman told reporters on Monday night: “We believe that the collision was deliberate and as such we have launched a murder investigation.

“We are investigating whether or not this incident may have been connected with another incident nearby.”

DCI Rob Kirby, of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, said after confirmation of Harley’s death the incident had been “truly shocking”.

A police cordon remained in place along Willingale Road on Monday night manned by uniformed officers.

The cordon began metres from the entrance to the school, near the junction of Jessel Drive, and an officer was going door to door in the streets nearby.

Armed police could also be seen outside a home on the corner of Newmans Lane and Hatfields in Loughton, where neighbours said Mr Glover lived alone.

Additional reporting by agencies