The mother of a 12-year-old girl who was tragically killed after being hit by a van in Oldham has paid tribute to her ‘beautiful angel’.
Annalise Holt and her 11-year-old friend were struck by a blue Mercedes Vito van shortly before 4.30pm on Tuesday on Milnrow Road in Shaw, Oldham, and Annalise later died from her injuries.
Her mother Lesley has now spoken of her heartbreak at losing the ‘light of her life’.
“Annalise was my beautiful angel princess. She was full of joy and energy, loud and outgoing,” she said.
“She is the light of my life, my whole world. I love her more than words can say. She was everything to me. She was too young to be taken away. She was going to have a great life but it’s not to be.
“She was a kind 12-year-old girl, always willing to help others, old and young.
“I just want her back and everyone to remember her for the loud, helpful, kind, caring child she was.”
Within hours of the collision an online petition for improved road safety at the site had collected hundreds of signatures and now has more than 4,500 names.
The 11-year-old girl remains in hospital in a ‘serious but stable condition’ and police are appealing for any witnesses to come forward.
Sergeant Paul Higgins from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit said: “A young girl has tragically been killed and we are working hard to find out the circumstances of the collision.
“Our thoughts are with her family and we are supporting them at this difficult time.”
Police are eager to speak to the driver of a car that was behind the van but left the scene before officers reached the scene.
Anyone with information should call the Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 0161 856 4742.
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