Updated: GRIEF-STRICKEN pupils in Sean Hamilton's year at Our Lady's RC Primary School in Acomb were told this morning in a special assembly of the events of Saturday night.

Head teacher Derek Sutherland spoke to pupils in Year 6 and paid tribute as they arrived at school today after the football-loving ten-year-old boy was killed in a hit-and-run smash while crossing a York street.

Speaking to The Press this morning, he said: “The pupils, staff, parents and governors of Our Lady’s RC Primary School send our deepest and heartfelt sympathies to Sean’s family, his mum and dad, brother and sisters, and his friends. We keep them in our thoughts and prayers. He will be very sadly missed.”

Sean Robert Harry Hamilton’s young life was suddenly ended when he was struck by a van in the Holgate area of the city – and police have issued a plea for help to piece together how the tragedy happened.

The occupants of the blue Ford Transit stopped at the scene before running away towards Acomb, sparking a city-wide manhunt which has since seen five people arrested.

Sean, from York, was pronounced dead at York Hospital after being hit at about 8.20pm on Saturday as he crossed Holgate Road.

Flowers and messages of condolence have since been left at the scene of the tragedy, close to Holgate Bridge.

Among them was a heart-wrenching tribute from Sean’s grieving family, reading: “You will always be with us.

“Our hearts are broken. God wanted an angel and as usual you were at the front of the queue. All our love, kisses and cuddles, Mum and Dad, Kerry-Ann, Ryan and Stephanie.”

Another, left by one of Sean’s friends, said: “You will be greatly missed but always remembered.

“You were our best goalkeeper and we will remember you for all your brilliant saves. Gone too soon, but never to be forgotten.”

A yellow T-shirt inscribed with dozens of messages – one of them simply saying “RIP little man” – was also placed near a lamppost at the side of the road, together with football scarves and a white toy bunny.

Rebecca Thompson, said she lived three doors away from the Hamilton family and described Sean as a “great lad”. She said: “I can’t believe someone would do that to a little lad. It’s terrible.

“It’ll be terrible for the family, they’ll just be devastated. How they’re going to manage now, I just don’t know.”

Following the crash, police teams cordoned off the stretch of road where it happened. The Ford Transit stood across the road alongside a mangled Ford Fiesta as a police helicopter shone searchlight beams on to the city’s streets. The five men arrested in connection with the investigation are all male, aged between 16 and 22 and from York. They were last night released on bail pending further inquiries.

“It is vital that people who can help the police inquiry come forward as soon as possible,” said Traffic Sergeant Andy Quigley, of the York Road Policing Group.

“Even the smallest piece of information could prove important. I am also appealing to anybody who noticed the Ford Transit van or Sean prior to the collision.

“The death of Sean Hamilton is truly tragic and heartbreaking for all concerned. It is every parent’s worst nightmare to lose a child in such a way.

“Our deepest sympathy and support is with the family at this traumatic time. They have been assured that North Yorkshire Police is doing everything within its power to investigate the full circumstances surrounding the collision.”

Anybody who saw the crash or has any information which could help trace whoever was in the van should phone North Yorkshire Police on 0845 6060 247 quoting reference number 12090172354 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.


Residents tell of shouts and screams

SEAN Hamilton’s death has left shocked Holgate residents trying to come to terms with the tragedy in the heart of their community. People living near the scene described how they heard “shouting and screaming” following the collision.

Witnesses said the crash was seen by a group of youngsters, one of whom is thought to have been Sean’s sister. One resident, who asked not to be named, said: “It seemed like there were two boys aged about ten and two girls of around the same age.

“I heard one tell a neighbour she was his sister. They were there for about 15 or 20 minutes after the crash before they were put into a police car.

“The passenger door of the van was left open after the men ran out and one of the neighbours was called to turn off the engine.”

Chris Bedingham, who runs the nearby Holgate Bridge newsagent, said: “I was putting out papers in the paper bin at around 8.20pm when I heard shouting and screaming – I thought there was a fight.

“I saw an ambulance go by and went outside, where I saw a body laid out on the road.”

Another Holgate resident, who lives in nearby St Paul’s Square, said: “It’s unbelievably sad – a young boy shouldn’t die like this.

“Everybody around here is just completely shocked. There have been a lot of tears today. Seeing the tributes which have been left just brings home what has happened.”