Police are hunting a 51-year-old man after a 12-year-old was killed and five others hurt in a suspected hit and run outside an Essex school.
Officers have launched a murder investigation after the incident near Debden High School, on Willingale Road, in Loughton, at around 3.30pm this afternoon.
The force said two 15-year-old boys, a 13-year-old boy, a girl of 16 and a 53-year-old woman were either treated at the scene or rushed to hospital following the terrifying ordeal.
The 12-year-old, who attended the school, was taken to hospital where he died.
Essex Police are looking for a silver Ford KA silver KA with the registration number LS08 OKW that left the scene following the suspected hit-and-run.
At a press conference this evening, Chief Superintendent Tracey Harman of Essex Police said officers are looking to speak to Terry Glover, 51, who lives in Loughton, over the crash, and believe ‘the collision was deliberate.’
Police also revealed checks are being made to see if there is a connection to a similar incident, reported to be at Roding Valley High School, earlier in the day.
Helen Gascoyne, the school’s head, said the community is ‘devastated’ by the death of one of its students.
In a briefing outside Loughton police station this evening, Chief Superintendent Tracey Harman of Essex Police said officers are looking to speak to Terry Glover, 51, pictured, over the crash
Police were called to the incident near Debden High School, on Willingale Road, this afternoon (pictured)
Emergency services are on the scene in Willingale Road, in Loughton this evening
A map showing the location of the shocking incident in Loughton this evening. Police also revealed checks are being made to see if there is a connection to a similar incident, reported to be at Roding Valley High School, earlier in the day
Forensic Officers in Willingdale Road near Debden Park High School, in Loughton, Essex, after a murder investigation was launched
Police officers carry out a raid on wanted man Terry Glover’s house. Police are eager to speak to Mr Glover after a fatal collision at a school earlier today
Officers said that all the injured teenagers are understood to be pupils at Debden High School.
One father, whose daughter was hit by the car, told Essex Live: ‘A Ford KA mounted the pavement behind her. Her friend was bounced onto the bonnet before another boy was hit very bad.
‘The car drove off down the road and the police arrived quickly. My daughter is safe, but the wing mirror clipped my daughter. Her friend got thrown off the bonnet.
‘It was awful to witness. Everyone is in shock.’
Police were called to the scene just after 3.20pm on Monday.
An Essex Police spokesman added: ‘Officers from across the county are working diligently to identify the vehicle, and its driver, who failed to stop at the scene.’
A statement from Debden Park High School’s head Helen Gascoyne said: ‘As a school and a community we are devastated to say that as a result of the incident in Willingale Road this afternoon, it is with great sadness that we must report that a 12-year-old student from our school has sadly died.
Emergency services at the scene this evening after the tragic death of a 12-year-old boy
The scene near Debden Park High School, in Loughton, Essex, after a murder investigation was launched after a 12-year-old boy was killed when a car crashed into children
‘Our thoughts are with the family and all those affected. As a school we continue to work with the police supporting the ongoing investigation.
‘The school will be open tomorrow with a number of counsellors on hand to support our community.’
An Essex and Herts Air Ambulance attended the the incident and in a statement they said they are assisting Essex Police and the East of England Ambulance Service after a number of people were involved in a road traffic collision.
Inspector Rob Brettell said the case is likely to be a ‘prolonged and serious investigation’ and has urged witnesses to come forward with any information or dash cam footage.
Earlier this afternoon Essex Police confirmed they are at the scene, on Twitter they said: ‘We are currently at the scene of a serious collision on Willingale Road, #Loughton.
‘The road cannot be accessed from junctions on either side of Debden Park High School.
‘Closure runs between Rookwood Ave and Audley Gardens. Please avoid the area where possible.’
Debden Park is a mixed academy school for pupils aged 11 to 18, which specialises in the performing arts and received a rating of ‘outstanding’ in its most recent Ofsted inspection, according to its prospectus.
A statement on the school’s website said: ‘There has been a serious road traffic incident tonight on Willingale Road involving some students from our school.
‘As we receive any updates we will let you know. Our thoughts are with all those who have been affected.’
