16-month-old girl hit by pharmacy van as she played in Leeds street

A toddler remains seriously ill in hospital after being hit by a van as she played in a Leeds cul de sac with her cousin.
The scene in Harlech Terrace, Leeds, where a one-year-old child was hit by a vehicle. Picture: Ross Parry AgencyThe scene in Harlech Terrace, Leeds, where a one-year-old child was hit by a vehicle. Picture: Ross Parry Agency
The scene in Harlech Terrace, Leeds, where a one-year-old child was hit by a vehicle. Picture: Ross Parry Agency

The 16-month-old girl was left critically injured after the collision – involving a vehicle thought to belong to a pharmaceuticals company – on Harlech Terrace, Beeston, at about 4.30pm on Tuesday.

Police said yesterday the youngster was recovering and her injuries were not thought to be life-threatening.

The van driver is helping with enquiries.

The scene in Harlech Terrace, Leeds, where a one-year-old child was hit by a vehicle. Picture: Ross Parry AgencyThe scene in Harlech Terrace, Leeds, where a one-year-old child was hit by a vehicle. Picture: Ross Parry Agency
The scene in Harlech Terrace, Leeds, where a one-year-old child was hit by a vehicle. Picture: Ross Parry Agency
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A relative of the girl said the toddler’s mother had taken her outside for fresh air but had then run back into her house to get some shoes, leaving her daughter with her six-year-old cousin. The accident happened as the van turned around to leave the street.

The man, who did not want to be named said the girl was on intensive care, but added: “We have been told she will pull through.

“The left side of her face is badly damaged but we will not know how badly until the swelling goes down and we can do tests.”

Mum-of-two Aleasha Morgan, 31, who lives on Harlech Terrace, rang an ambulance for the family.

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She said: “There was a crowd of people at the bottom of the street so I ran to see what was going on.

“I went into the family home and saw the little girl in her mother’s arms. She was covered in blood and they were holding a towel around her. She was screaming and crying.

“I told them that she needed to go to hospital and rang an ambulance for them. It was horrendous, just awful.”

Sgt Andy Pennington said enquiries were continuing and appealed for witnesses or anyone with information to call the Safer Roads and Neighbourhoods Team on 101.

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