First picture of ‘popular and caring’ girl, 11, killed in freak accident by flying Land Rover wheel on way to school
Amelia Wood lost her fight for life after being airlifted to hospital following tragedy in Manby on Tuesday morning
AN 11-year-old schoolgirl has died after being struck by a Land Rover wheel that came loose and flew through the air as she made her way to school.
Tragic Amelia Wood had been walking along a pavement towards a bus stop when the front wheel of the passing 4x4 broke off and hit her on Tuesday morning.
Emergency services rushed to the scene in Manby, near Louth, Lincs., shortly after 8am.
Amelia was taken to Nottingham's Queen's Medical Centre by air ambulance in a critical condition.
But Lincolnshire Police have now confirmed she had tragically lost her fight for life in hospital.
Police Sergeant Dave Mitchell, from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said; ";We have spoken to a number of witnesses and will be completing a full investigation.
"If anyone saw the white Land Rover Discovery travelling in Manby on the B1200, Manby Middlegate road, towards Saltfleetby, I would like them to call in if they haven't already."
Martin Brown, Executive Principal of Louth Academy, paid tribute to a "popular, caring and determined" student who was a keen netball player.
He said "Amelia was a well-loved student who will be greatly missed by staff and students at the Academy.
"We are all devastated by such tragic news. She was an active member of our community and was always keen to participate in events.
"Amelia was a keen netball player and represented the Academy in a recent fixture.
"She was a very popular and caring student who always helped and supported her friends.
"Amelia will be remembered at the Academy as a vibrant, passionate and very determined student.
"To support students, we have a counsellor and pastoral staff available who will offer help and guidance in the coming days and weeks, supported where appropriate by specialist professionals.
"At this difficult time, we would like to offer our deepest condolences to her family and all those who loved Amelia."
Eyewitnesses who saw the tragedy unfold described the incident as "like something out of Final Destination”.
The driver of the Land Rover Discovery was said to have been "devastated" and had only bought the vehicle a month earlier.
A spokesperson for East Midlands Ambulance Service said: "We received a call at 8.05am to an incident on Manby Middlegate.
"The caller reported a road traffic collision involving one patient and one vehicle.
"We sent a paramedic responder, a paramedic on a Fast Response Vehicle, an ambulance and the Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire Air Ambulance. One patient was taken to Queens Medical Centre."
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