Tributes paid to 'kind and loving' 13-year-old who died after being hit by car
A 28-year-old woman has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and failing to stop.
Monday 13 April 2020 18:58, UK
Tributes have been paid to a 13-year-old boy who died after being struck by a car in Birmingham on Easter Sunday.
Mason O'Grady was hit by a black Volkswagen Polo just before 7pm while he was crossing Chester Road, Erdington.
He later died from his injuries in hospital.
A 28-year-old woman who was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and failing to stop remains in police custody, West Midlands Police has said.
Paying tribute to him, his family said: "Mason was a handsome, kind, loving and genuine boy with a heart of gold.
"He would do anything to make you smile and he brought happiness and joy to the life of everyone he met.
"Yesterday whilst out walking with his family he was hit by a car as he crossed the road.
"As a family we are asking for any witnesses to come forward to help us understand why this happened to our beautiful, kind spirited boy.
"Mason, we will love you always."
Adam Bryant, Mason's brother, paid tribute to his sibling on Facebook.
He said: "Anyone who knew Mason would know how kind-hearted, smart and loving he was. He would have done anything for anybody, he was truly an amazing person.
"This massive shock has left a huge hole in our family so if anybody could help with the investigation please please don't hesitate.
"Mason was a huge character, he will be truly missed by everyone. See you soon little brother, love you more than you could ever know!"
A memorial page on the GoFundMe has already raised more than £6,000, double its £3,000 target, in less than 24 hours since the crash.
Hayley Myles, a friend of Mason's mother Hayley, described the schoolboy as "a beautiful soul".
Mrs Myles said: "This is just awful. He was so lovely, funny, you never saw him in a bad mood. He was always smiling, always playing tricks on his younger sister Rosie and his mum. Mason was a beautiful soul. He will be sorely missed by us all."
Mrs Myles added that Mason's mother was "still in shock" over the incident but said the fundraiser was a "lovely gesture".
"We are all still just upset by what's happened," she added. "When the time is right, we will mark it properly. We just all want to support Hayley and her family right now."
Detective Sergeant Alan Hands, from West Midlands Police's collision investigations unit, said officers had been dispatched to the scene immediately and were still investigating.
"We are still trying to establish how this tragic incident has happened and anyone who has information and hasn't yet spoken to an officer should call us on 101," he said.
"This is a parent's worst nightmare and it is impossible to imagine their grief, but specialist officers will be supporting them as our investigation continues."
Anyone with information should email [email protected], use the live chat on west-midlands-police.uk between 8am and midnight, call 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, quoting 3376 of 12/04/20.