Icy conditions probed after death

Syed Yasin Hussain was fatally injured near his home in Small Heath, Birmingham, on Friday afternoon when he and a six-year-old boy were struck by a Volvo truck, said West Midlands Police.

His father was quoted by a newspaper saying his son was in the road because a nearby pedestrian crossing was too icy.

Asked if officers would investigate whether this was the case, a West Midlands Police spokeswoman said: "We would look at everything."

Both children were taken to Birmingham's Heartlands Hospital after the accident, which happened at about 2.45pm on the A45 Coventry Road. It is thought they had been walking with one of their mothers at the time.

Syed had suffered multiple injuries and was confirmed dead at hospital despite prolonged attempts to resuscitate him, said a West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman.

The driver of the lorry, a 37-year-old man from Yardley, Birmingham, was not hurt.

Syed's father, Iqbal Hussain, 40, told the Sunday Mercury: "There were lots of people trying to cross but the crossing was icy. The traffic was moving slowly at the time. Another part of the road was clear so they tried there, but when they stepped out into the road the driver started moving forward."

Mr Hussain said he thought the driver did not notice immediately that he had hit the boys, but reversed, when he did, to release his son.

Anyone who witnessed the accident is asked to contact the road policing unit at Birmingham's Stechford Police Station on 0845 113 5000.