Young girl killed in Walsall hit-and-run was mum’s ‘star’on July 28, 2023 at 7:42 pm

The mother of a girl killed in a hit-and-run has described seven-year-old Katnis Selezneva as a star to whom she did not want to say goodbye.

The crash happened in Walsall shortly after 19:00 BST on Thursday and a 14-year-old boy has been arrested.

Katnis was hit by a motorcycle and died in hospital. West Midlands Police is appealing for help to find the bike.

Her mother, Tsvetelina Selezneva, said: “My heart is bleeding, my soul is aching.”

In a tribute posted on Facebook, Ms Selezneva added: “God took her away too young and fragile.

“I don’t have strength and I don’t want to say goodbye to you, my star.”

The 14-year-old was detained within two hours on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and remained in custody, police said.

“This is an absolutely tragic event which has resulted in the death of an innocent child,” said Det Sgt Paul Hughes of the West Midlands force.

Two bikes were recovered close to the Turnstone Road scene in Bloxwich, police said, but neither had been identified as the one involved.

“I know someone out there in the local community knows where the bike is,” Det Sgt Hughes said.

Crowds of people, including children, gathered at the scene on Friday to leave flowers, toys and other tributes, many of them in a state of shock.

On Facebook, Ms Selezneva commented on the outpouring, saying: From acquaintances and strangers, everyone cries, everyone comes to leave something and express their sorrow and love for Katnis.”

Anna Bennett, a nurse at Walsall Manor Hospital, was visibly shaken as she told of how she tried to help Katnis at the scene.

“[The crash has] destroyed the community,” she said.

Jade Simkiss, who also tried to help, added: “Our condolences go to the family and we hope no-one ever has to witness what we witnessed.”

Police said they were looking for a blue and black road bike but were yet to determine the exact make and model.

“I would urge anyone with any information, however large or small, to make contact with us,” said Det Sgt Hughes.

“This is not about protecting people, this is about doing the right thing,” he added, urging the local community to “come together” and work with him.

“This is a heart-breaking situation that no family should ever go through and my thoughts are with the family of this young girl,” he said.

Ch Supt Phil Dolby added that he and his officers had been “hugely upset by this needless tragedy”.

The death has had a “devastating impact” on the girl’s family, who were being supported by specially-trained officers, he said.

The officer echoed the appeal to help find the bike “as a matter of urgency”.

“There’s somebody out there who thinks it’s acceptable to help hide the bike that killed a seven-year-old, and failed to stop, being driven illegally,” he said.

“We were [at the scene] very, very quickly, and there were lots of members of the public. That bike would be in our possession right now but for somebody taking deliberate action, in my view, to frustrate that from happening.”

Residents had previously complained about youths on motorbikes being a problem in the area.

A number of recent police operations had taken about 30 illegally-ridden motorbikes off roads, said Ch Supt Dolby.

“I want to send a clear message to the public that young people in the area are able to ride these bikes because, in many cases, adults are giving them the bikes to ride,” he explained.

“They also bear responsibility for the potential consequences and this needs to stop.”

West Midlands Ambulance Service said the girl was in a critical condition when paramedics arrived.

“She was receiving basic life support and ambulance crews immediately took over to provide advanced life support and trauma care,” said a spokesperson.

The seven-year-old was taken to Birmingham Children’s Hospital where she died of her injuries, they added.

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