New China hit-run scandal

China was rocked today by another case of a young child abandoned in the road after a hit-and-run.

Xiong Maoke, five, was struck by a truck as he walked home from school in Luzhou, western China. Villagers said the driver ran him over then reversed back to ensure he was dead, in an ap-parent attempt to avoid hospital bills.

It came a week after Wang Yue was knocked down by two vehicles on a busy street in Guangdong. CCTV showed she was ignored by 18 passers-by. She died on Friday. Zhang Shifen, who witnessed the latest tragedy, said: "I saw the truck move back a little then move forward. Xiong became wrapped up in the wheel and the truck continued another 10 yards." It is alleged the 35-year-old driver, who denies running over the boy twice, argued with his family about compensation.

Giving compensation if an accident victim dies is seen by many Chinese as cheaper than paying hospital bills. There is no free healthcare in China.