Skip to content

Police hunt van driver as girl dies in tram crash

Laura O'Neill
BBC News, Manchester
UGC A tram stopped in the middle of the road, the front panel is missing. A police van and car are parked on the right side of the road. An ambulance is stopped next to the tram on the left. An officer wearing hi vis is stood in front of the ambulance.UGC
The force confirmed the child was a pedestrian and was not travelling in either the tram or van

Police are searching for a driver after a three-year-old girl was killed in a crash between a van and a tram in Manchester city centre.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said the girl, who had been taken to hospital, died from her injuries.

After colliding with the tram, the van had been forced onto the pavement where it hit the girl, police said.

The van driver fled the scene in Mosley Street and officers said they were following several lines of inquiry to locate him.

UGC Metrolink workers in orange hi vis gather on a tram track in Manchester city centre. In the background, a tram is just visible, in the foreground there are several police cars with their lights on parked up on the tram track, which is cordoned off with police tapeUGC
No arrests have been made and inquiries are ongoing, GMP have said

GMP said the crash was being treated as an isolated incident with no wider threat to the community.

"I would like to send my condolences to the family of the victim. This is a tragic incident where a young girl has sadly lost her life despite the responding officer's best attempts to save her," Assistant Chief Constable Stephanie Parker said.

"Our investigation is ongoing and we are investigating a number of lines of inquiry."

North West Ambulance Service said two air ambulance crews had attended the scene at 09:58 GMT.

"Our thoughts are with the family and loved ones of the little girl who sadly passed away," a spokesperson said.

"We attended the scene, responding with two ambulances, a rapid response vehicle, two air ambulance crews and several senior clinicians."

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) said it was supporting the police with the investigation.

A spokesperson said: "All of our thoughts are with her family and loved ones at this incredibly difficult time."

Roads are closed and public transport services have been cancelled following the collision, which happened close to Manchester Art Gallery.

'Manchester is horrified'

Manchester City Council said it would make sure the family had its "full support".

"All of Manchester is horrified at this shocking crash," a council spokesperson said.

"All our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of this innocent little girl."

No tram services are currently operating between St Peter's Square and Piccadilly Gardens as a result of the collision, TfGM has said.

The network is also experiencing severe delays on most lines.

Tickets and passes are being accepted on local bus services and Northern Rail services from Ashton and Manchester Airport to the city centre.

The force advised commuters there would be "a lengthy closure of surrounding streets near to St Peter's Square".

Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on BBC Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram, and watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer.