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Boy killed by 'silent' police car in chase
Neil Millard01.06.09
A 16-year-old cyclist has been knocked down and killed by a police car answering an emergency call.
Khaleel Khan was struck as he made his way across a pedestrian crossing in East Ham early on Saturday.
Although the police car did have its blue lights on, the driver was reportedly not using its siren.
The Pc has been suspended from driving duties and an investigation into the crash has been launched.
It comes less than a month after a woman was killed in Kent when her car was involved in an accident with an unmarked Met police car and raises new fears over "reckless" police driving.
Khaleel was on his way to a local shop with his cousin, Aamer Khan, 17, and friends Hassan Salam and Amar Mahmood, both 16, when he was struck at about 12.30am in Ron Leighton Way.
Aamer said the traffic lights for the police car were green.
He said: "I was going to go up and hit the officer, I was crying my eyes out saying 'What did you do that for?'"
Khaleel's mother, Anwar, 48, rushed to the scene and both she and husband Habib, 59, had to watch paramedics battle in vain to resuscitate their son, who was the eldest of seven children.
The couple were today too upset to speak but the boy's uncle paid tribute to his nephew, who was taking his GCSEs at Langdon School, had applied to study at Newvic College in Plaistow and was making plans to go on the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca.
Afsa Khan, 41, a chauffeur from Forest Gate, said: "He was a very bright boy. On Saturday he passed away and the same day he got his letter of acceptance from college. It's horrible."
Adal Raza, 24, who lives nearby, said he saw Khaleel thrown up in the air before he landed on the roof of the car and then hit the ground 30 feet away: "He didn't have a chance to avoid it. I did not think he could have survived because he was hit so hard."
Any witnesses should contact 020 8785 8738.
Reader views (7)
May Allah grant him jannatul ferdouse, and give his family the strength to cope with this tragic event. Ameen
- Asia, uk
R.I.P
May Allah Make Him Rest In Peace..
And Take Him To Jannat
AMEENN!!
- Nafz, Forest Gate
khaleel was known from everywhere, it is very shocking andall there is to say now is....
R.I.P
nevery be forgotton
- Unknown, London, london, east ham
it's hit me hard konwing that he is dead because i used to see him going on his way to school R.I.P
- Unknown, london
EDITED by admin @ 10.03 on June 2 2009
Court Proceedings
- Gary, London
EDITED by admin @ 10.32am on June 1 2009
Court Proceedings
- Cliff Steele, Melbourne australia
EDITED by admin @ 10.32am on June 1 2009
Court Proceedings
- Hamish Shand, Singapore
