An 11-year-old boy who was killed by a car as he walked home from school has been pictured for the first time – as his heartbroken family paid tribute to their ‘beautiful son’.
Evan Rothwell was struck by a grey Nissan Qashqai outside of the Kings School on Wrexham Road, Chester, at around 5.12pm on November 12.
Officers and paramedics rushed to the scene to give Evan treatment, before he was taken to Alder Hey Hospital via air ambulance.
Despite the best efforts of those involved, Evan passed away at the hospital on Saturday, November 16.
Cheshire Police said the boy’s family are being supported by specialist officers.
The driver of the car, a 28-year-old woman from Wrexham, was uninjured and there have been no arrests made in relation to this incident at this time, the force added.
Today, Evan’s family, head teacher and head of year all paid tribute to the teenager – describing him as a ‘bright, joyful and fun-loving’.
His loved ones also called for the speed limit outside the school to be lowered from its current 40mph limit to ‘prevent anything like this happening again.’
Evan Rothwell (pictured) was killed in a traffic accident as he walked home from school
Evan was struck by a grey Nissan Qashqai outside of the Kings School (pictured) on Wrexham Road, Chester, at around 5.12pm on November 12
The speed limit on the road where Evan was hit is a 40mph limit. This road is outside a school, and we strongly feel that this needs to be lowered to prevent anything like this from happening again.’
In a statement, his family said: ‘Evan loved life and used his talents to entertain and bring joy to others.
‘Evan lit up the world around him when he was making friends laugh with jokes and magic tricks, playing cricket with his friends, performing with Ama-sing on Britain’s Got Talent and entertaining audiences as part of the Chester Scout’s Gang Show. He made us proud every day.
‘The speed limit on the road where Evan was hit is a 40mph limit. This road is outside a school, and we strongly feel that this needs to be lowered to prevent anything like this from happening again.’
Evan’s Head Teacher, George Hartley, said: ‘Evan will be forever remembered as a bright, joyful and fun-loving classmate, with an intellectual curiosity that belied his young years.
‘Our thoughts throughout this past week have remained with Evan’s heartbroken family, loved ones and friends.
‘This devastating news has shaken our school community to its core and there are immense challenges ahead for our pupils, staff and parents. We have drawn great strength from the many messages of support and from the countless tributes being paid to Evan.
‘We are united in grief and shock, and we are doing all we can to support each other with compassion and understanding as we face the loss of one of our own.’
Evan was rushed to Alder Hey hospital in Liverpool (pictured), where he sadly died
His head of Evan’s year, Emily Sherriff, added: ‘Evan arrived at King’s in September with an enormous smile and a sense of fun that brought joy to everyone he encountered.
‘He was kindness personified and there has not been a single student who we have encountered over the past week who hasn’t made a comment on the happiness Evan carried with him throughout the school day.
‘The way he lived his life – full of wonder and enthusiasm- is something that will stay with us all forever.’