THE father of a five year-old boy knocked down in a hit-and-run accident in Downpatrick is appealing for witnesses to come forward.
Mark Murphy’s son Eoin was struck in the face by the wing mirror of a passing car, which threw him on the middle of Market Street as he attempted to cross the road.
Mr. Murphy said Eoin, who received hospital treatment for cuts and bruises to his face and leg, was lucky not to be more seriously hurt.
Eoin was with his dad and brother when they stopped opposite the Lone Star Pizza takeaway shortly before 7.30pm on Friday, October 18.
An Asda lorry driver saw Eoin waiting by the car to cross the road and waved him on. Mr. Murphy, still in the car at this stage, beeped at his son to warn him to wait.
“Maybe he took that as a sign that he was allowed to cross,” he said, recalling a sickening “thud” when the car hit.
“He twisted and hit the driver’s window and banged on to the middle of the road,” said Mr. Murphy.
“There is no way the driver could not have noticed. His mouth and nose hit the driver’s door.”
While acknowledging that perhaps “very loud music” could have prevented the driver hearing the impact, Mr. Murphy said he was still puzzled.
“His mouth and nose hit the driver’s door.” he said. “I could not understand why the person did not stop.
“I didn’t stop to take a registration. When I saw blood coming out of his nose and mouth I was only interested in getting him to hospital.”
Mr. Murphy said he did not want to wait for an ambulance and instead took him to Downe A&E, where Eoin got the all-clear after several x-rays.
“When I saw his head I was really worried,” he said.
“It’s been difficult. Of course he still wanted to go to football but we had to call that off.
“He is not too bad, he is back to himself. For about a week he could not move well with his leg and he still has a big massive bruise on his chin and forehead.
“He just keep saying ‘why did the person hit me and not stop? He was really scared by it and he is usually a wee hardy fellow.”
Mr. Murphy said it was a busy night in the town due to the Downpatrick races, and says he accepts blame for parking opposite the pizza place.
“I pulled up on the wrong side of the street,” he said.
“Somebody maybe did see something, there were lots of people about.
“I would like to know what happened for my own piece of mind. If I hit a dog I would stop.”
Police are keen to identify the driver of the silver hatchback car at the centre of the incident, which continued in the direction of the Ballydugan Road.
Officers would also like to hear from the driver of the ASDA lorry that stopped to allow the child to cross the road and any other witnesses.
Police can be contacted at Downpatrick police station on 0845 600 8000.