‘The whole community, everyone was in shock with what we were hearing’
Police at the scene on Ashfield Road on Monday (Image: JMG Press)
Those living close to where a six-year-old girl was fatally struck by a car say the community has been left reeling.
Greater Manchester Police says a Range Rover was travelling westbound along Ashfield Road in Rochdale at around 5:35pm on Monday evening (April 28) when it collided with the girl who had ‘entered the carriageway.’
The air ambulance landed nearby afterwards. However, despite the best efforts of emergency services, she died a short time later.
Her family are currently being supported by specialist officers. An investigation into the crash is ongoing, and no arrests have been made GMP said.
Today, people living near to the scene said they had been left stunned and devastated at the tragedy.
GMP say a Range Rover collided with the girl ‘who had entered the carriageway'(Image: JMG Press)
Kirsty, 30, said: “There was an ambulance that happened to be behind the Range Rover and they came and helped. Then the air ambulance came, and the police closed it all off.
“It’s very sad. I have got two little ones, and it really brings it home. I can’t imagine what the parents are going through.”
Fakhra Kauser, 65, who said she was once a neighbour of the family, said: “I saw all the ambulances arrive. It’s so sad. Really unexpected. I did not sleep at all last night.”
Riz Khan, 41, said: “I had been out walking my dog and I saw a helicopter above. My first thought was that it was someone up to no good.
“But then I could see it was getting closer and was landing on Stoneyfield Park. I have gone to see what had happened, and it was all blocked off so I couldn’t get home. There were ambulances and police here.
“Everyone was gathered around near the park, the whole community, everyone was in shock with what we were hearing. But it was quite clear something awful had happened.
“Someone mentioned yesterday evening that she had passed away and I was hoping it was just rumours. But then I saw it was confirmed this morning on the news. It’s just awfully sad.”
Waqas Sultan, 30, who runs Biggy’s Barbers on Ashfield Road, said: “I had closed the shop about 10 minutes beforehand, and I heard the helicopter. It all happened so quick. It’s just so sad, a young life going like that. It’s just awful news.”
Whilst a woman said: “We didn’t see it, but we heard it. It’s very tragic, very, very bad.”
Officers from GMP’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit (SCIU) are investigating the incident and their enquiries are ongoing.
They have appealed for anyone with information or footage that may be able to help their enquiries, to come forward.
Detective Constable Thomas Johnson, from the SCIU, said: “I firstly want to pass my condolences onto the family of the girl who tragically died following last night’s collision.
“”The thoughts of everyone from our investigating team are with them and we are continuing to support them where we can. As our work progresses, we are asking for anyone with any information to please come forward.
You may have witnessed last night’s incident, or have relevant CCTV, doorbell or dashcam footage. If you can send this to our officers, this would be greatly appreciated as we put together a complete picture of last night’s incident.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact GMP on 101 or online, quoting log 2683 of April 28, 2025.