Two schoolgirls killed in NYE hit-and-run

THE vehicle found abandoned in Honeywell Lane.

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TWO schoolgirls from Hathershaw have tragically died after a hit-and-run on New Year's Eve.

Cousins Helina Kotlarova (12) and Zaneta Krokova (11) were in Ashton Road, Oldham, when they were hit by a car at around 7.15pm on Saturday.

They had just bought some sweets and chocolates from Australian Wines off-licence and were holding hands to cross the road to meet their friends when the tragic accident happened, close to the Copster Hill Road junction.

Helina, from Montreal Street, died at the scene. She went to the Collective Spirit School in Chadderton and loved singing and dancing.

She came with her parents Sylva and Robert and her eight siblings from the Czech Republic eight years ago.

Zaneta was fighting for her life in hospital but sadly died yesterday morning. She was a pupil at Oasis Academy.

Helina's sister Sylva (19) said: "When we went there she was on the floor.

"She had blood all over her face and I was touching her.

"I was seeing if she could breathe but she wasn't. Her face was bleeding. We just waited for ambulance, they said there's nothing they can do."

Family and friends have been paying tributes on social media, as well as laying flowers and candles at the scene of the accident.

Four men aged 59, 48, 38 and 18 remain in custody after being arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. Police confirmed today that custody time had been extended.

Crying

A fifth man, aged 23, was initially arrested for the same offence but was de-arrested and is assisting police with enquiries.

Ashfaq Ahmed, who owns A1 Sweet Centre in Ashton Road, said he had just parked up his car after a delivery when he witnessed the accident.

Mr Ahmad said: "There were people crying and shouting. I called the police and ambulance.

"They were good girls.

"They were decent and friendly. One of them used to come to the shop to buy some slushy.

"They used to say hello to everyone in the shops.

"They were both very nice. The two of them were always together.

"The family is very nice and very hard working."

Ahmed Iqbal, from Oldham, was driving to Tesco with his friends at the time of the accident.

He said: "I heard a lot of screaming and shouting.

"The two girls were on the floor. It was devastating to see that scene.

"One girl was lying on the left and the other was on the right.

"The ladies were screaming. The guys were trying to put them in a recovery position.

"An ambulance came a couple of minutes later.

"I'm so broken up for the family ­- imagine the loss of two daughters."

The incident has seen many members of different communities coming together to support the families.

Multi Car Parts Ltd, a family-owned network of seven car breakers yards off Ashton Road, will pay for the funeral costs.

Waseem Mohammed, whose family run the businesses, said: "We're on the main road, about 100 yards away.

"When we saw the family were trying to raise money for the funeral we decided to help with the costs.

"One of our employees is their family member so that was the main reason we got involved.

"We've put a funeral company, Oldham Central Funerals, in touch with the family, as we didn't want to impose ourselves on to the family.

"They can send their loved ones the way they see fit, according to their traditions.

"We recommended someone who said they would help and not look at it from a business point of view."

Sallie Lou, an Oldham resident, set a JustGiving campaign to support the family, which has raised over £800 so far.

Sallie posted: "This is to help lay Helina to rest, and whatever the family might need. Rest In Peace angel, fly high x."

Witnesses had described seeing a Black VW Golf at the scene. Police have since traced the car and spoken to the driver.

Abandoned

Further enquiries have since established that a dark blue Peugeot 807 was involved in the initial collision with the girls, which has been recovered abandoned on Honeywell Lane.

Officers have now released images of the car involved in the collision and that of a white Citroen Despatch which was in the area at the time.

It is believed the driver could hold key information.

Sergeant Lee Westhead, from GMP's Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: "This is a heart-breaking incident which has now taken the lives of two young girls and all of our thoughts remain with their families, who are understandably devastated.

"We have made significant progress with our investigation since the collision happened and I would like to thank everyone who has contacted police with information so far.

"The community are clearly as committed as we are to establishing exactly what happened to Helina and Zaneta and the support they have provided has been vital to the investigation.

"As the investigation has progressed we have identified that the vehicle that struck the girls was a Blue Peugeot 807. We have recovered this vehicle abandoned on Honeywell Lane.

"The Peugeot is very distinctive.

"As you can see in the images, the vehicle is dark blue, people carrier shaped and is in poor physical condition and notably has pre-existing damage to its rear window.

"Finally, I am also keen to speak to the occupants of a white Citroen Despatch van that I am also releasing an image of.

"This vehicle did not collide with anyone but was in the immediate vicinity of the collision and may have key information.

Anyone with any information should call the Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 0161 856 4741, quoting incident number 1691, of December 31, 2016.

The Just Giving page can be viewed by visiting justgiving.com/crowdfunding/sallie-lou