Community 'gutted' after boy's hit-and-run death

30 minutes ago

By Shannen Headley, BBC News, West Midlands • Marian McNamee, BBC Radio CWR

Coventry City said the thoughts and condolences of everyone at the club were with Keaton Slater’s family

Family Keaton Slater in Coventry City kit — Coventry City said the thoughts and condolences of everyone at the club were with Keaton Slater’s family

Tributes have been paid to a 12-year-old boy who was killed in a hit-and-run crash.

Coventry City Football Club have sent their condolences to the family of Keaton Slater who they described as a huge supporter of the team.

Keaton was fatally injured on Radford Road, in Coventry at about 16:30 BST on Friday.

Dozens of floral tributes have been left at the scene of the crash and one resident told the BBC it was “gutting” for the family and the local community.

Coventry City added in their statement they were “deeply saddened” after hearing about Keaton’s death.

“Keaton was a huge Coventry City supporter and the thoughts and condolences of everyone at Coventry City Football Club and the entire Sky Blue community are with Keaton’s family and friends at this awful time for them,” they said.

In a tribute released by the force, Keaton’s family said he was “so beautiful inside and out” and “our fun-loving little comedian” who “just wanted to make everyone laugh and smile”.

Jessica Thewlis, whose children go to school near where the crash happened, said: “It’s so sad, it’s not anything I’d expect to happen so close to my children’s school

“It’s terrible and absolutely gutting for everyone around here that knew him and loved him.”

Dozens of floral tributes were left at the scene of the crash

Flowers left on Rashford Road following the death of Keaton Slater — Dozens of floral tributes were left at the scene of the crash

Claire Millard’s property was where tributes for Keaton were being laid and she said she had put a chair outside her home for the family to use and added she would do anything to put them “at ease”.

“I’ve noticed a community that I thought was almost gone has really come together for this family,” she said.

“Even people who don’t know each other have been hugging each other talking to each other. People from Birmingham and all over Coventry have come to lay flowers for this little boy that they didn’t even know.”

Another passerby, Rob Morris, said: “It’s horrific, I’ve got a child myself. I was walking back home from work an hour before it happened. Its heartbreaking.”