Lorry crash that killed schoolboy reconstructed by police as review launched
The family of a seven-year-old boy who was knocked down and killed in Dundee over 35 years ago have returned to the scene as police re-enact the incident. Danny Leech was knocked down by a lorry while he was crossing Arbroath Road in the east of the city on September 8, 1989. More than three decades later, police have staged a reconstruction of the road accident as part of an independent review being carried out by road policing officers from Glasgow.
During the reconstruction, police used the same model of lorry that made a left-hand turn at the busy junction and hit Danny.
Leech familyDanny Leech was seven-years-old when he was knocked down in Dundee in 1989 Leech family
It comes after years of campaigning by the Leech family, who called for a review in hopes of getting information on what actually happened in the moments that led to his death. They said watching a repeat of the manoeuvre brought back the pain of losing Danny 35 years ago but that they are “hopeful” the review will bring justice. His mother, Linda Leech, said: “Today, it’s like reliving it over and over and over again for the amount of times they’ve done it.
It’s upsetting.” John Leech, Danny’s brother, said watching the reconstruction of the moment the youngster was hit was a “sobering experience”. “They were trying different angles, trying different speeds, different approach lines,” he said.
“We know the scene in 1989, between Danny’s point of impact and the road clearance, was a mere 30 minutes. “We’ve been here an hour and a half this morning watching this, so that makes for frustrating feelings.”
STV NewsFamily of Danny Leech return to scene of fatal crash as police re-enact incident in Dundee STV News
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Following information received on Friday, June 14, 2024, an independent review is now underway to assess that information. “Today a reconstruction was carried out at the scene of the collision as part of that.”
Danny’s family consider his death to be accidental but believe there was little investigation in the hours after his passing.
They complied a document outlining their concerns, which was submitted to Police Scotland earlier this year.
No charges have ever been brought following Danny’s death.
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