Man is arrested after hit-and-run driver knocked down five-year-old

• Casey Wilson miraculously escaped incident in Cardiff with only minor injuries 

A man has been arrested after a five-year-old girl was knocked down while riding her scooter on the pavement in a terrifying hit-and-run.

Casey Wilson was riding home from the park when she was knocked down by a speeding BMW in Grangetown, Cardiff.

The driver lost control as he turned the car left at speed and mounted the pavement in front of them.

Fortunately, the youngster escaped with only minor injuries but was left badly shaken by the ordeal.

Police shared footage of the smash and appealed for witnesses but have since arrested a 34-year-old man.

This is the terrifying moment a young girl was knocked off her scooter as a hit-and-run driver mounted the pavement

Casey Wilson, 5, can be seen riding her scooter along a seemingly quiet road

Casey’s mum Rachel Bancroft said: ‘It all happened so quickly and I just thought she was dead. I thought she had been killed in front of me.

‘The car just lost control, crashed into Casey who went against the wall and then just drove off. I was just standing there screaming.

‘People out there know something. It is very lucky that my little girl was killed and someone needs to come forward with information. Next time it might be a fatality.’

A spokeswoman for South Wales Police said: ‘A man has been arrested in connection with a road traffic collision which happened on Sloper Road, Cardiff.

‘CCTV shows a speeding car mount the pavement, collide with a little girl, and drive off.

‘A 34-year-old man from Grangetown has been arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving, failing to stop a vehicle, and failing to report an accident involving a vehicle which he was driving.

‘A car suspected of being involved has been seized and continues to be forensically examined.

‘The girl’s family has been updated.

‘Amazingly the little girl received only minor injuries, but the incident, which happened at around 5.50pm on Sunday, March 24, was understandably very frightening for her and her family.

‘The matter is being taken seriously and the investigation is progressing effectively.

‘The arrested man is on conditional bail pending further enquiries.

‘If you witnessed this collision or the vehicle involved, please contact us.’

Footage of the incident shows the five-year-old riding a scooter along the pavement next to a seemingly quiet road.

A black car can be seen slowly approaching the junction from a side road when a dark grey BMW 4×4 races past on the wrong side of the road at speed.

The vehicle turns onto the main road, narrowly avoiding the other car, while shocked bystanders watch on.

The 4×4 swerves as it enters the road and, unable to stop in time, mounts the pavement.

A black car can be seen slowly approaching the junction from a side road when a dark grey BMW 4×4 races past it on the wrong side of the road at speed

The 4×4 swerves as it enters the road and, unable to stop in time, mounts the pavement

Casey, riding ahead of her mother and brother, cannot get out of the way of the BMW and is hit by the large vehicle.

Casey’s mother Rachel Bancroft then rushes to help the five-year-old, as do other pedestrians.

Miraculously, the girl was able to escape the incident with only minor injuries.

Ms Bancroft said: ‘It all happened so quickly and I just thought she was dead.

‘I thought she had been killed in front of me.

‘The car just lost control, crashed into Casey who went against the wall and then just drove off. I was just standing there screaming.

‘People out there know something. It is very lucky that my little girl was killed and someone needs to come forward with information.

‘Next time it might be a fatality.’

Casey’s mother said that the hit-and-run had left the young girl terrified of moving vehicles.

She said: ‘We were out the other day and a motorbike went past and the noise made Casey jump out of skin.

‘Another time we were walking and a bus went past and she was trying to get on the inside and was shaking.

Casey, riding ahead of her mother and brother, cannot get out of the way of the BMW and is hit by the large vehicle

Casey’s mother Rachel Bancroft then rushes to help the five-year-old, as do other pedestrians. Miraculously, the girl was able to escape the incident with only minor injuries

‘She is still terrified, and I keep replaying the moment in my head. It was like something out of a film.’

A police spokeswoman: ‘South Wales Police is continuing to investigate a collision which happened on Sloper Road, Cardiff.

‘CCTV shows a speeding car mount the pavement, collide with a little girl, and drive off.

‘Amazingly the little girl received only minor injuries, but the incident was understandably very frightening for her and her family.

‘Officers are appealing for the driver or anyone with information to please contact South Wales Police.

‘It happened at around 5.50pm on Sunday, March 24, during the school Easter holidays.

‘The suspect vehicle, a grey BMW, overtook a vehicle waiting at the junction of Langham Way and Sloper Road.

‘It then mounted the pavement on Sloper Road and hit the five-year-old girl who was on her scooter on the way back from the park with her mum and brother.

‘If you have any information or footage which might help identify this car and its driver, please contact us by one of the following means quoting occurrence number 2400097157.’

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