Hit-and-run horror on walk home from the shops

Devastated family members have paid tribute to their “lovely wee girl” after she was killed in a hit-and-run incident.

Sophie Brannan, 11, was mown down after a car mounted a pavement and ploughed into her in Glasgow on Friday night. Her 10-year-old friend was also struck by the out of control vehicle as they walked home from the shops and was last night fighting for her life in Yorkhill after suffering serious head and leg injuries.

A 36-year-old man the friend’s uncle was also hurt.

The horror accident happened in front of dozens of shocked witnesses many of whom rushed to offer first aid and help at the scene. Tragically they were unable to save Sophie who died of her injuries.

Last night, a member of Sophie’s extended family, said: “Sophie was a lovely wee girl. She was a pupil at St Blaine’s Primary and did well at school. She was very outgoing and funny. It’s just a tragedy.”

Yesterday, locals laid flowers and tributes at the scene, including a Celtic scarf and a pink teddy bear. Many parents accompanied their tearful children some of whom were fellow pupils from St Blaine’s as they came to mourn their school pal.

One tribute read: “Rest in peace Sophie. Taken too soon. Sleep tight, angel.”

Another said: “Miss you so much already Sophie. Gone but we will never forget you.”

Sophie’s parents, named locally as Marie and Graham, were said to be too upset to discuss the tragedy. The family live in a tower block on Glenavon Road just a two-minute walk from where the crash happened.

One friend of the family said: “I can’t begin to imagine what they are going through. It’s tragic and incomprehensible. You don’t just leave someone behind when an accident like that happens.”

People living in the area said the other girl injured in the hit-and-run was Sophie’s friend Chelsea while the 36-year-old man injured was named locally as Chelsea’s uncle Joe.

One witness, James Donnachie, 47, said: “It’s sickening. Everyone is absolutely stunned.

A spokeswoman for Police Scotland confirmed Sophie was on the pavement in Sandbank Street when she was struck.

She said: “The driver failed to stop and continued heading south on Sandbank Street, then into Maryhill Road and finally in Lochburn Street where the car was abandoned. Sophie’s 10-year-old friend, who suffered serious head and leg injuries remains in Yorkhill Hospital. The 36-year-old man is still being treated within the Western Infirmary in Glasgow.”

Two families who live on Sandbank Street said the steep road is a notorious spot for accidents and blasted the cowardly actions of the driver who fled the scene.

One woman said: “We’ve lived here seven years and there have been about four accidents in that time. I’ve complained to the council before about it but nothing has been done. Drivers come down the hill far too fast. We need speed bumps or something to slow people down. It’s unbelievable. The fact the driver ran away is disgusting. Who would do that?”

Extensive inquiries are being carried out by CID, supported by specialist Road Policing Officers. Sandbank Street was closed for a short time yesterday as they examined the scene watched by stunned locals struggling to comprehend the tragedy,

Detective Inspector Colin Hailstones, is leading the inquiry for Police Scotland.

He said: “This was an horrific incident. Sophie, her friend and her friend’s uncle, had been out to at the local shops. Sandbank Street and Maryhill Road are very busy and there were a lot of people about; many of whom tried to help at the scene. We have spoken to them and a number of people who were in the area and are currently checking CCTV to identify the person responsible for this dreadful incident which has left her family devastated.”

Police will have been scouring driver records to establish who the car belonged to. Officers are expected to continue their inquiries today.

DI Hailstones added: “The driver of the car is described as white, 25-35 years of age, of, medium build and had short shaven in hair. He was wearing a dark coloured jacket, dark denims and white trainers and was last seen running off towards the canal path after abandoning the car in Lochburn Street.

“Somebody out there knows who this person is and I would appeal to them to contact police re his whereabouts.

“I would also say to the man himself to hand himself in it’s only a matter of time before we track him down.”