Parents' hit-and-run agony

The parents of a two-year-old boy killed by a hit-and-run driver today spoke for the first time about the tragedy.

Sabit Metolli said his son Lorik had been playing at a cousin's surprise 14th birthday in the front garden of a house in Longley Avenue, Alperton when he ran out into the path of a car.

"Suddenly we heard screaming, 'Lorik's been hit by a car' and everyone ran outside," said Mr Metolli. "I think my nephew tried to grab him because he saw the car coming, but it all happened too fast." The driver and his passenger stopped after the accident at 8.40pm on Sunday but they quickly drove off as Lorik lay in the road.

The car was later found abandoned in Harley Road, Harlesden.

Despite frantic efforts to revive the boy, he died on his way to hospital.

Mr Metolli, a restaurant manager from Stanmore, said police believe the car was speeding because Lorik's body was found so far down the street. He added: "The driver just drove off. It's a wicked thing to do and we feel very angry. I didn't know what to do because I was so shocked. I was screaming for an ambulance.

"An English lady tried to bring Lorik back and I was pumping his chest. I would like to thank her very much, and everyone else. The police and ambulance got there very fast. Everyone there and at the hospital was amazing."

Mr Metolli, who fled to Britain from Kosovo 13 years ago, added: "It is very, very difficult-Lorik was beautiful and we loved him so much. He was our light, our future. I had planned so many things for him. It would be his third birthday in two weeks and I had just repainted his bedroom. He was so happy, but he never got a chance to sleep in it.

"He was a very happy boy, always smiling, right from the start. Even before he was born, the doctor doing the scan said he was a very happy baby.

"I couldn't believe it happened because Lorik was such a careful little boy. I always taught him not to go into the street so whenever he saw a car passing he would run to me.

"If I was gardening he would never try and go into the road. But you can't stop children playing. Drivers must be careful and respect the speed limit."

Mr Metolli's wife Fatmire revealed it was a double tragedy for the family as she had recently lost a daughter when she was seven months pregnant.