British girl killed in Gran Canaria hit-and-run

A 12-year-old girl has been killed and a boy seriously injured in a hit-and-run accident on Gran Canaria, sources said today.

Abigail Harris died on Sunday evening when a car mounted the pavement and knocked down the two children, who were enjoying a stroll with their families.

Thomas Thackeray, also 12, was badly injured in the accident and remains in hospital.

A spokeswoman for the Foreign Office said: "We can confirm two British nationals were involved in a hit-and-run car accident in Gran Canaria on 18 April.

"Sadly, one of the British nationals died. Another British national has been hospitalised.

"We are providing consular assistance. Local police are investigating the incident."

It was reported that the families come from Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, and were enjoying a holiday in the resort of Puerto Rico, on the south coast of Gran Canaria, which is one of Spain's Canary Islands.

According to reports on the Yorkshire Post website, the accident happened next to a taxi rank and one of the drivers gave chase while other witnesses called the emergency services.

The taxi driver caught up with the escaping car and spoke to the driver, a man in his 50s, who returned to the scene, it was reported.