Schoolboy aged 6 dies after being hit by van a week after his grandfather's death

Liverpool: A six-year-old boy has died after being struck by a van - just weeks after the alleged murder of his grandfather.

The little boy, named locally as Bobby, was taken to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool where he died from his injuries.

The tragedy brings new heartbreak to the schoolboy’s family, as he is the grandson of a popular social club boss who was killed just weeks ago.

The 36-year-old man driving the van was not injured but was taken to the local hospital as a precaution.

The road was closed for several hours while police began their investigations.

An eyewitness said he was in his car when the incident happened.

Speaking to the Liverpool Echo, he said: “I was in the traffic, when I heard screaming, I looked in my rear view mirror and I could see a child laying in the road.

“People were screaming and panicking so I pulled over and dialed for an ambulance. It was awful; my heart goes out to his parents.”

Tributes on social media started to flood in within hours of the news breaking.

Caroline Kelly wrote on the  her Facebook page : “RIP beautiful boy. Friends forever with my little Carl. Lovely little boy you was thinking of all the family. Sleep with your granddad and the angels.”

Alilou wrote: “May you fly high with the angels little man, reunited with your granddad rest in peace Richie, too sad heartbreaking for the family.”

Grandad-of-10 Richard ‘Richie’ Williams, 64, died in hospital on Monday, August 14 – just hours after being found unconscious with serious injuries in Waterpark Drive near to his club on Mab Lane.

A man has been charged with his murder and is due back in court next month.