A MAN has been arrested after a seven-year-old boy was killed in a hit-and-run while playing football.
William Brown Jnr died in his Ronaldo gear when a car plowed into him outside his home in Folkstone, Kent, at 5.30pm yesterday.
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William Ian Brown, 7, was ‘left for dead’ on the A259 Sandgate Esplanade in FolkestoneCredit: SWNS
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William Brown Sr. weeps at the news of his son’s death
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William’s father said his ‘boy’ ran to catch the ballCredit: SWNS
His father, William Brown Sr., released an emotional video today urging the public to “please help us.”
And now officers have revealed they have arrested a 49-year-old man from the Dymchurch area.
It comes after Brown Snr held onto his beloved son’s green football shirt as he filmed the appeal in his bedroom.
Behind him were teddy bears and a neon sign with William’s name.
William Brown Jnr, seven, was “left for dead” on the A259 Sandgate Esplanade in Folkestone, Kent, at around 5.35pm on Wednesday.
Two vehicles were involved in the fatal collision, an unidentified passenger vehicle or van and a red Citroen.
An unidentified vehicle drove away from the scene in the direction of Hythe.
Brown Snr addressed the driver in the video, saying: “If you did this, William Jnr was a wonderful boy and he believed in forgiveness, love and peace and we forgive you already.
“If that’s you and you feel guilty, but we really need to know so we can lay our son to rest in peace and know what happened to him.”
Police and paramedics attended, but William was pronounced dead at the scene.
Laura Brown, William Jnr’s mother, broke down as she told the BBC: “He was the sweetest boy in the world, so soft and gentle.
“Please help us find this person. I’m begging you. Do it for William.”
She told the Mirror that her son loved taxidermy and had never seen the stuffed octopus he was going to get for Christmas.
Now he will be buried with him.
She said: “He loved football. He supported Manchester United like his father. But his favorite player of all time was Ronaldo. He died in his Ronaldo shirt.”
Brown Snr told the Mirror his son ran to catch the ball.
He said: “My son almost died on the road, he was there for 40 minutes,” Will said.
“It’s a busy road – someone saw something, someone must know something.”
Did you see what happened? Contact: [email protected]
William Jnr also leaves behind step-mother Vicky Phillips and six-year-old sister Pearl, with whom he was “best friends”.
Appealing on Facebook last night, one woman said: “There was a hit and run in Sandgate Esplanade this evening at 5.45pm.
“Police are looking for the silver/grey van and any information about the driver.
“Anyone who has any CCTV footage of the local area please take a look.
“Any eyewitness to the dash cam or anyone with any information on the driver.”
Anyone who witnessed the collision, or saw the victim or the vehicles in the moments leading up to it, is urged to contact the Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 01622 798538, quoting reference MM/DGC/130/23.
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Brown Jnr’s mother revealed her son died wearing his Ronaldo shirtCredit: Facebook
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Flowers are left near Brown’s house in Sandgate, near FolkestoneCredit: PA
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