Child crash victims were on e-scooter, say police

Police believe a teenage boy and his nine-year-old sister were riding an e-scooter when they were fatally struck by a car.

Darcie Casselden and her brother Roman, 16, died at the scene after a collision in Basildon in Essex, at 18:25 GMT on Saturday, and the car drove off.

A man and a woman, both in their 20s, were later arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and failing to stop at the scene of an accident on Ashlyns in Pitsea.

Ch Supt Leighton Hammett said: "This has been a hugely emotive incident and I know the family and wider community want to know what happened."

In an update on Monday evening, Essex Police said it believed Roman and Darcie were riding a privately owned e-scooter at the time.

It added the woman arrested in connection with the incident had been released on police bail, while the man was released under investigation.

Ch Supt Hammett said there had been "a lot of commentary online" about the incident and urged people not to speculate.

Achievement Through Football, a charity Roman worked for, has led tributes to him.

Chief executive Stuart Long said the team was "absolutely devastated" by both deaths.

Roman had been involved with the charity for six years before becoming an apprentice last year after leaving school.

"In his quiet, understated way, he was able to get alongside so many families and build genuine trust and bond with young people," Mr Long said.

"He's just been such an amazing support.

"Quite often when we employ young people, it's often about time-keeping and getting them work-ready, but with Roman it was the opposite.

"We had to tell him to come to less sessions... he was out-and-about and so committed to what he did.

"I think that's why this terrible tragic incident has touched so many people.

"As all the tributes have come forward you realise just how many people's lives Roman has touched."

A crowdfunding page set up to help with funeral costs and other support raised more than £26,000 in 24 hours.

Police have appealed for information, particularly CCTV, dashcam or doorbell footage as part of their investigation.

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