A Norfolk village has been left devastated after a teenage cyclist was killed in a hit-and-run tragedy on a narrow country road.
The young victim was cycling on the outskirts of Swafield, near North Walsham, in the early evening when he was struck by a large pick-up truck.
The vehicle, a white Ford Ranger, failed to stop but was discovered by police a short while later, and a man in his 50s was arrested.
READ MORE: 'Beautiful and brilliant' 13-year-old boy named as victim of tragic hit-and-run
The emergency services, including the air ambulance, were called to the scene, but a boy - whose exact age has not been confirmed - died at the scene.
Boris Konoshenko, chairman of Swafield and Bradfield Parish Council, said the village had been shocked by the tragedy.
"It is a tragedy and so very sad," he said.
Mr Konoshenko owns nearby Swafield Hall with his partner, Tim Payne, also a member of the parish council.
“It is terribly sad, and our hearts go out to the person who lost their life and their family.
“It is shocking that someone would drive off the way the driver did."
One villager, who asked not to be named, said other motorists stopped at the scene moments after it happened and summoned help.
“I heard the crash happen and then the voice of a woman screaming for help,” she said.
“Two cars stopped to help and one of the drivers called an ambulance.
“It’s devastating to think of the poor family of the boy who received that call last night.”
As news of the tragedy spread through the village, flowers were placed in an area in the centre.
READ MORE: Public meeting planned after teen cyclist's hit-and-run death
Another local added: “It is such a sad waste of a young life.”
Duncan Baker, the MP for the area, said: “All my thoughts and prayers are with the family at this time."
The accident happened at around 6.20pm on Thursday, near to The Lodge on Knapton Road, which heads out of the village to the north.
Mr Konoshenko said there had been concerns over the safety of the road for several years.
Knapton Road is a narrow country road with a 60mph speed limit, which drops to 30mph when it leads onto The Street, the road which approaches and passes through the village.
READ MORE: Teenage cyclist dies in hit-and-run
“At a parish council meeting on Tuesday (August 8) we discussed a letter from a member of the public which said we need to do everything we can to reduce the speed limit on this road because a fatality would happen.
“So many people have expressed concerns over this road - and we’ve been raising it with Highways for several years.”
Following the accident, Mr Baker, the MP, said he would organise a meeting to discuss rural road safety issues.
“Only yesterday I was dealing with rural speeding issues in one of our coastal villages and throughout my summer tour the number one concern I have had consistently raised is about speeding and safety on our roads," he added.
“Where this incident occurred my office had previously raised local people’s concerns about reducing the speed limit.”
He added: “I am going to try and put together a public meeting in north Norfolk with the chief constable and police and crime commissioner to allow the public to voice their concerns about the level of speeding on our roads and just what we can do to tackle this."
The man in his 50s was questioned on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and failing to stop at the scene of a collision.
Anyone who witnessed the crash or has any information is asked to contact the Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 101 or email SCIU@norfolk.police.uk quoting NC-10082023-376.
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