Casper and Corey Platt-May, aged two and six, died after being struck by a car

This article is more than 2 years old

This article is more than 2 years old

A mother who lost her two young sons in an alleged hit-and-run incident has described them as amazing and cheeky, and said they would be deeply missed.

Corey and Casper Platt-May, who were six and two, were killed on Thursday when a Ford Focus crashed into them in the Stoke area of Coventry.

A 53-year-old man and a 41-year-old woman were arrested on suspicion of drink-driving and causing death by dangerous driving.

The boys’ mother, Louise Platt-May, paid tribute to her sons in a statement released by West Midlands police.

“Corey was an amazing boy. He never kept still, always had to be doing something and coming up with new ideas of things to do. He loved school more than any kid I know. His favourite subject was maths. But his main passion in life was his football,” she said.

“He has been playing for a local team since he was four but since the day he could hold a ball he was never without one. He will be deeply missed by all that had the pleasure of knowing him.

“Casper was a cheeky little boy, always getting into trouble and driving his brothers crazy.

“But he was so loving and caring and constantly told his family how much he loved them. He loved walking everywhere with his wellies and splashing in the puddles.

“His smile could light up any room and he will be so so missed by all who knew him.”

The boys’ grandfather had earlier visited the scene of the crash. After placing a football alongside other tributes, Kim May described his grandsons as “happy, jolly, lovely boys”, and said the aftermath of the incident was “like a warzone”.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Kim May, left, looks at floral tributes left near the scene of the fatal crash. Photograph: Joe Giddens/PA

“I just don’t know what to say, it’s just crazy. Corey was a very, very gifted footballer at a young age. Casper, he was like any two-year-old - he was just lovely. Corey, he loved his football, he played football every Saturday,” he said.

The brothers were with their mother in MacDonald Road at about 2pm when the vehicle struck them. They were taken to hospital with severe injuries.

Casper could not be revived and died a short time later, while Corey was taken into surgery, but also died. Their mother was unhurt.

DS Paul Hughes of West Midland police’s collision investigation unit, said: “Several witnesses have come forward and I am grateful to everyone who has spoken to us.

“Specialist family liaison officers are with the family, who are understandably distraught, and they are being kept fully updated.

“This collision has had a profound effect on the community in Stoke and I would ask people not to speculate on what happened which may cause further distress to the family. They need our combined support to help them through this dreadful time.”



