Girl killed after BMX bike ride throws her into Jeep

Trainee hairdresser Natalie Lee was on her way to pick up her Christmas presents from her mother when she was thrown into the path of a car and run over. She later died from massive head injuries.

Her boyfriend Kevin Simmons, 24, who was riding his BMX with Natalie standing on the "stunt nut" rods on the rear wheel, was badly injured and spent five days in hospital after the crash in Dagenham, Essex.

Natalie's distraught mother June Goodwin, 43, told the Standard: "Natalie's presents are still wrapped up ready for her. It breaks my heart I couldn't give them to her.

"All my decorations were taken down on Boxing Day - we didn't have Christmas, but her presents are still here. I don't know what I'll do without her.

"Even now I still can't believe my baby daughter is dead. In my head she is still alive. It's only getting things ready for the funeral arrangements that is keeping me from going out of my mind.

"Natalie had everything to live for - she loved hairdressing and was really looking forward to the next part of her NVQ. Why did it have to be her?"

Natalie's sister, mother-of-two Samantha Lee, 23, said: "The whole family is in bits. She was a sweet, lovely girl and a brilliant auntie who loved kids so much. Everyone will miss her.

"I went to the hospital with mum but I couldn't believe it was my baby sister lying there dead. I wanted to give her a kiss and a cuddle to tell her I love her but I couldn't go anywhere near her because the state of her scared me to death. This has knocked us for six."

Kevin and Natalie were hit by a black four-wheel drive Jeep as they crossed Rainham Road North from Dagenham's Central Park at around 4.45pm. Kevin's head smashed into the Jeep's windscreen, while Natalie was thrown into the carriageway and struck by a blue Ford Fiesta.

Today Kevin, recovering at home after suffering a brain haemorrhage, fractured eye sockets and a broken shoulder, said he could not recall the accident.

He said: "The last thing I remember is going through the park gates. I woke up in hospital on Christmas Day and it was just sinking in what happened when they told me Natalie was dead.

"It's heartbreaking. She meant everything to me. She didn't deserve to die."

Police are appealing for any witnesses to call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

● A motorist has been arrested in connection with a hit and run collision that killed a cyclist.

Malcolm Boswell, 66, from Hoddersdon, died on Christmas Day after his bike was run over in Hoe Lane, Enfield, on Christmas Eve.

Police have arrested a 69-year-old man and seized his Land Rover in connection with the incident. He has been bailed until March.