DETECTIVES are pursuing various lines of inquiry after hit-and-run victim Violet-Grace Youens died.

Violet-Grace passed away in hospital at 11.38pm on Saturday, in the arms of her devastated mum.

The youngster was struck by the car on Prescot Road, near to the junction with Dunriding Lane.

Police have been tight-lipped on their investigation since releasing images of two young men running from the scene.

Violet-Grace’s grandmother, Angela French, 55, was also hit in the collision and remains in hospital in a serious but stable condition.

Police are believed to be still hunting two young men who fled the car, which was abandoned at the scene.

The collision happened at about 3pm on Friday and involved a black Ford Fiesta.

The suspected stolen car came to the attention of patrols shortly before being involved in the hit-and-run, say police.

Two young men abandoned the car after hitting the woman. They fled the car on foot.

Detectives, who are following a number of lines of investigation, have issued CCTV images of two young men they want to trace.

They were seen running away from the area.

One (above) is described as white, aged 15-20, around 5ft 10in tall, of slim build, with brown hair. He was wearing a royal blue t-shirt and royal blue shorts.

The second male (below) is described as being white, aged 15-20, with brown medium length hair.

He was wearing a black t-shirt and black shorts and dark trainers.

A police statement added: "Officers from the force's Professional Standards Unit have been informed of the collision and the matter has been referred to the IPCC, due to the earlier police contact."



Witnesses say the car went through traffic lights near the Bird 'Ith Hand pub at high speed before hitting the woman and child, who were crossing the road.

Police inspect a Fiesta believed to have been involved in the incident

Wreckage at the scene on Prescot Road

Chris Lang, a father of two girls, who was leaving his house on Prescot Road witnessed the Fiesta hit the pedestrians.

He said: "The car came through the lights - it must have been going 70 to 80mph and hit the woman and child, who were crossing the road.

"I'd say the child was aged three to four years.

"They have then smashed the car into bolards and ran off down Lincoln Road.

"Police and the air ambulance were on the scene within minutes.

"It was an awful scene and distressing as you can imagine.

"This is a bad road - my house has been hit three times by cars. I just hope they are brought to justice for what they have done."

The police helicopter has been seen overhead.

A woman, who asked not be named, said: "I saw the aftermath - people were screaming. My car is stuck there but I don't mind staying here all day if that little girl is OK."

Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact MSOC Roads Policing on 0151 777 5747 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

