The heartbroken brother of a 13-year-old boy who was knocked down and killed while crossing the road on Easter Sunday has paid tribute to the ‘kind-hearted, smart and loving’ teenager.
Mason O’Grady from Pype Hayes was hit by a black Volskwagen Polo while on a family walk in Erdington, Birmingham, and a 28-year-old woman has been arrested.
Mason’s brother, professional golfer Adam Bryant, paid tribute to him in a Facebook post, saying: ‘Can’t believe I’m having to write this.
Mason O’Grady from Pype Hayes was hit by a black Volskwagen Polo while on an Easter Sunday family walk in Erdington, Birmingham
Mason’s brother, professional golfer Adam Bryant (left), has paid tribute to the ‘kind-hearted, smart and loving’ boy
The teenager was crossing Chester Road in Erdington with his family when he was struck by the black vehicle just before 6.50pm
‘Anyone who knew Mason would know how kind-hearted, smart and loving he was.’
‘He would have done anything for anybody, he was was truly an amazing person.
‘This massive shock has left a huge hole in our family so if anybody could help with the investigation please please don’t hesitate.
‘Mason was a huge character he will be truly missed by everyone. See you soon little brother, love you more than you could ever know! ❤️.’
The driver – a 28-year-old woman arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and failing to stop – remains in police custody, police said.
Mason’s brother, professional golfer Adam Bryant, paid tribute to him in a Facebook post and encouraged potential witnesses to get in touch
A memorial page on the GoFundMe.com website has already raised more than £4,000 in less than 24 hours since the crash
Hayley Myles, a friend of Mason’s mother Hayley O’Grady at Sutton Town Netball Club, described the schoolboy as ‘a beautiful soul’.
Mrs Myles told the PA news agency: ‘This is just awful.
‘He was so lovely, funny, you never saw him in a bad mood.
‘He was always smiling, always playing tricks on his younger sister Rosie and his mum.
‘Mason would get involved with us at the club, he spent a lot of time there as a lot of our kids did, everyone knew him.
‘He was Hayley’s first-born, and he was her best friend. Mason was a beautiful soul. He will be sorely missed by us all.’
A 13-year-old boy was crossing Chester Road in Erdington, Birmingham with his family on Easter Sunday when he was struck by a black VW Polo just before 6.50pm
A memorial page on the GoFundMe.com website has already raised more than £4,000 in less than 24 hours since the crash.
Mrs Myles said: ‘I spoke to Hayley briefly, she was obviously still in shock about what had happened but she said the fundraising appeal was a lovely gesture.
‘We are all still just upset by what’s happened. When the time is right, we will mark it properly. We just all want to support Hayley and her family right now.’
Detective Sergeant Alan Hands, from the force’s collision investigation unit, said: ‘This is a parent’s worst nightmare and it’s impossible to imagine their grief, but specialist officers will be supporting them as our investigation continues.’
He urged anyone with information to contact police.
Erdington councillor Gareth Moore said: ‘This is obviously a real tragedy – it is such a horrible thing for the boy’s family, he is so young.
‘My condolences go out to the family at this time, and I would urge anyone with information to go to the police so they can investigate what happened.’
Chester Road is a section of carriageway stretching for several miles out of north Birmingham.
The speed limit fluctuates between 30mph and 40mph, and has several crossing points.
Detective Sergeant Alan Hands, from the force’s collision investigation unit, said: ‘This is a parent’s worst nightmare and it’s impossible to imagine their grief’