‘A beautiful happy soul’: 12-year-old boy who died in M62 hit-and-run named

The 12-year-old boy who was killed in a hit-and-run on the M62 in West Yorkshire on Saturday night has been named by police.

Callum Rycroft, from Leeds, had been walking on the motorway with a man after an earlier collision involving an Audi Q5 on the slip road to Hartshead Moor services.

His mother has paid tribute to him and said the family were "devastated".

She said: "Callum was a beautiful happy soul who was unique, great fun and larger than life. He brought light, laughter and noise into any room.

"Callum had a massive impact on everyone who met him. The house is so quiet without him here."

Police also confirmed a 36-year-old man has been charged on Monday evening.

Matthew Rycroft, of Nowell View, Leeds will appear before Leeds Magistrates Court charged with causing or allowing the death of a child.

He was also charged with failing to provide police with a specimen.

M62 FATAL CRASH CLIPS Sky News grab Image: Police near a slip road after the collision

Earlier today a second person[1], a 47-year-old man, was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

The man is believed to be the driver of the black Toyota C-HR which struck Callum on the eastbound carriageway of the M62, between junctions 25 and 26 at around 9.50pm on Saturday.

West Yorkshire Police had appealed for information after the vehicle involved in the collision failed to stop at the scene.

M62 FATAL CRASH CLIPS Sky News grab

Detective Chief Superintendent Sarah Jones, of West Yorkshire Police, said the force is continuing to conduct inquiries into the "dreadful" crash and is supporting the victim's family.

DCS Jones is also asking anyone who has CCTV or dashcam footage of the Toyota C-HR's movements after the collision with the child to contact them.

She said: "We would appeal for footage taken of the black Toyota, which had sustained damage to its front and windscreen, taken between 9.50pm and 10.30pm during which period we believe the car travelled from the Chain Bar roundabout along Whitehall Road (A58) towards junction with Westfield Lane."

References

  1. ^ Earlier today a second person (news.sky.com)