Police probe continues into how two-year-old boy was killed by lorry on busy Shipley road

The boy, thought to be aged only two, was understood to have been chasing a dog when the tragedy occurred in Shipley.

Flowers and teddy bears have this moring been placed at the scene with messages dedicated to 'little man' and 'little love'.

The incident involved a white Scania tipper truck and happened in Valley Road, close to The Bradford Hotel, shortly after 1pm yesterday.

The boy was pronounced dead at the scene.

Last night, police said he was thought to have gone into the road between parked vehicles.

Neighbours spoke of their shock and devastation at his death.

Mark and Rebecca Craven, of Valley Road, described the boy as "full of energy and happy".

Mr Craven, 24, a father of two young children, said: "He was very happy and always said good morning and hello to us.

"He played with our son and he would let our son play on his toy car. He was a really lovely little boy.

"He had a bright smile on his face whenever we saw him. He used to wave and say hello."

Mrs Craven, 26, said she was heartbroken for the family.

"It is devastating and heartbreaking. My heart goes out to the family."

Neighbours said the boy's nana was screaming and crying as she returned to her flat.

Mr Craven said the boy had been playing happily at the back of the flats shortly before the incident.

"We are both in shock and haven't eaten. We can't get over the devastation.

"I keep thinking of the little boy and our own boy who is the same age, two-and-a-half."

The scene of the accident in Shipley yesterday afternoon

Mr Craven said the boy's mum and nana were kind and caring people who had often helped them carry shopping and prams up two flights of stairs to their own flat in Valley Road.

"We got to be really close friends with the mum and nana. They are good neighbours."

A woman neighbour who asked not to be named said: "I've got a little one about that age. I feel so sorry for the parents."

One witness, who asked not to be named, said: "I was talking to an old man who lived on the same street [Valley Road] who said that he [the boy] was chasing a dog apparently," he added.

Paul Chapman, 47, who also lives in Valley Road, said: "It's shocking. You don't expect something like this to happen on your doorstep.

"I've lived here for six years and never seen anything like this."

Kevin Delahunty, 37, of nearby Alva Terrace, added: "It's tragic. It's a very busy road. It needs to be looked at.

"The worst part of it is that he is only a young boy."

Another resident of Alva Terrace resident, who did not want to be named, added: "It's upsetting to see it so close."

A member of staff at nearby Carpets Direct said: "I saw lots of police, there were sirens here there and everywhere, and then I saw the air ambulance land.

"It is very sad news."

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People took to social media to share their condolences.

Helen Hargreaves added: "I'm so sorry to hear such sad news! My heart goes out to all who loved him! Rest in peace little one x"

Mark Anthony Hirdster posted: "Tragic, rest in piece little boy, heartbreaking, sad day."

Naomi Hussain said the accident was "absolutely heartbreaking".

"R.I.P precious boy thoughts are with his family xx also with the poor driver who this will no doubt live with this tragedy for the rest of his life xx," she added.

Part of Valley Road was closed into the evening yesterday while investigators in the Major Collision Enquiry Team at West Yorkshire Police gathered evidence at the scene causing long traffic holds-up on alternative routes.

Last night, Sergeant Ann Drury of the Major Collision Enquiry Team, said: "Clearly, the scale and severity of this incident has caused significant disruption to commuters and the communities in Bradford, and I continue to thank people for their patience and understanding while we continue to conduct our investigation.

"I would appeal to anyone who was in the area around 1.10pm this afternoon, and may have seen either the vehicle, or the young boy prior to the incident, or who witnessed the collision itself to come forward."

Witnesses should contact police on 101.