A SIX-YEAR-OLD girl was killed by a speeding driver after letting go of her mum's hand – just months after her family moved to the UK from Afghanistan for a better life.

Little Daljit Khalsa – who grew up in the dangerous Helmand province – suffered fatal head injuries when she went to cross the road and was hit by the car in front of her mother Raki and older sister.

The schoolgirl was rushed to hospital but tragically died after the crash in Slough in October last year.

Her death left her family reeling, having just escaped Afghanistan and living in Newcastle for seven months before moving to the Berkshire town two months before the tragedy.

The Reading inquest heard the little girl was not wearing her glasses at the time of the crash, which could have "affected her ability" to judge if it was safe to cross Cippenham Lane.

The car was going 35mph in the 30mph zone at the time of the crash.

I am so sorry for the family and I wish I could change what has happened

The man driving the car, Tomasz Oklinski, said in a statement to the inquest: "When I was told the girl had died I was so sad and I couldn't believe what had happened.

"When the accident happened I was so shocked because I hadn’t seen any children or other people on the road.

“I am so sorry for the family and I wish I could change what has happened."

Forensic investigator Kevin Spiller said the little girl would not have been holding her mum's hand at the time of the crash.

He said it was likely Daljit ran into the road and the driver did not have time to react.

'A PASSIONATE STUDENT'

Alison McCormick, assistant coroner for Berkshire, said: "I know that in the accident she was not wearing her glasses which could have affected her ability to judge whether it was safe to cross the road.

"But it is just as possible that she didn’t even look, it's possible that she may have crossed the road in the impetuous way that children do.”

Daljit had just started at Cippenham Primary School. She had previously gone to Riverside Primary School in Newcastle.

In a tribute, her family said: “Daljit has left behind her parents, elder sister, grandparents, uncle, aunt and their two sons.

"Daljit was very kind, caring and friendly. She made many friends at her school and was very passionate about studying.

"She enjoyed learning the English alphabet the most and wanted to learn the language very quickly.

"Her favourite poem was ‘Johnny Johnny, Yes Papa’ and her favourite cartoon was ‘Masha and the Bear.’ “Whenever we eat chips and eggs we always remember her because it was her favourite dish.

"Daljit enjoyed playing with the ball in the park and was very fond of going on funfair rides. “We will always remember our daughter and she will forever be in our hearts.”

The coroner recorded a verdict of a road traffic collision.

Source: Read Full Article