Girl, 6, dies after being struck by a van 'being tailed by police'

Last night an inquiry was under way after it emerged officers had lost sight of a van they were tracking just minutes before Demi Leigh Royle was knocked down as she walked home from the shops.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission is investigating reports that an identical vehicle was seen driving erratically shortly before the accident on Friday night.

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Demi Leigh, described in a family statement as a "loving and lively little girl", was walking with a 29-year-old woman and her five-year-old daughter when a Fiat Ducato van mounted the pavement and ploughed into them.

Witness Mark Tassel, 45, said: "I was in an off-licence when I heard a tremendous thud.

"I ran out and saw a kiddie lying motionless in the middle of the road.

"A man was crouching over her shouting 'she's dead, she's dead!' and a woman was screaming in terror. People were screaming and panicking.

"It really was horrific. A few minutes later the ambulance arrived and the paramedics picked up her body and carried her away."

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Minutes before the accident police in a patrol car had noticed a van driving erratically and tried to follow it.

However by the time they turned their car it had gone out of sight.

A short time later Demi Leigh was killed and her friend injured when they were hit in Huyton, Merseyside.

A police source said: "This is an absolute tragedy and the parents of this young girl are beside themselves with grief.

"Officers are convinced the vehicle they saw being driven irresponsibly a short time before is the same one that hit the girl.

"Unfortunately by the time they turned their patrol car round and got to a nearby roundabout the van had completely disappeared and they could not find it again."

Demi Leigh's five-year-old friend was taken to hospital with facial injuries and the woman was treated for shock. Demi Leigh was pronounced dead on arrival.

Her parents, Steven Royle and Paula Roberts, 32, are being comforted by friends and relatives. Demi was one of seven children.

Yesterday a 24-year-old man was charged in connection with the crash.

Ross Robinson, also of Huyton, is accused of causing death by dangerous driving.

He will appear at Huyton magistrates' court today.