A 10-year-old boy has been killed while crossing the road in York in a hit-and-run accident.

The occupants of the blue Ford Transit van which struck the boy, near the Iron Bridge in Holgate Road, stopped at the scene but then ran off.

The collision occurred at 8.20pm last night and police immediately launched a widespread operation to find the van’s occupants, including a helicopter search of the area. Witnesses describe them as white and in their mid teens or early twenties.

The boy is said to be from the local Holgate area. He was treated at the scene by paramedics and was taken to York Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

His parents and close relatives were today being comforted by the police.

The section of Holgate Road remains sealed off today while investigators continue to piece together what happened and a diversion is in place.

A police spokesman said: “These tragic circumstances are clearly very traumatic for the family and all concerned and it is therefore essential that police can build a full picture of what happened to the boy.

“Witnesses to the collision, or anyone who can help trace the occupants of the blue Ford Transit van, are urged to contact North Yorkshire Police as a matter of urgency.”

Anyone with information can contact detectives on 0845 6060247 or anonymously call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.