Walsall: Mum pays tribute after daughter, 7, killed in hit-and-run | UK News

A mum has issued a heartbreaking tribute after her seven-year-old daughter was tragically killed in a hit-and-run crash.

Katnis Selezneva was playing outside her home in Walsall when she was struck by a motorbike at around 7pm on Thursday. 

She suffered critical injuries and was rushed to Birmingham Children’s Hospital but could not be saved.

A 14-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and remains in custody. 

Eyewitnesses said little Katnis had been playing on a scooter just yards from her house when the horrific incident happened in Turnstone Road.

Her father reportedly begged his daughter to ‘open her eyes’ as neighbours ran to perform CPR on the child.

The youngster’s mother, Tsvetelina, has shared an emotional tribute following her death.

She wrote on Facebook: ‘God took her away too young and fragile.

‘I don’t have strength and I don’t want to say goodbye to you, my star. How to let you go, my heart is bleeding, my soul is aching. Who will take care of you now up there my angel.

‘Every day she told me, “I love you mum, you are the best mother and the most beautiful because you take care of me and do everything to make me happy”.

‘You became a star in the sky. [You] cried that one day mum would be a star in heaven and you would be left without me. 

‘You were so strong, healthy and smiling, always in the three races. Why couldn’t you fight for your life. Your dad was calling you, “open your eyes Katnis, dad is here, open them” but you closed them forever.

‘Rest in peace sweet treasure! May your path be bright so you are not afraid in the dark without mum and dad!’

Flowers, balloons and teddies have been left at the scene in memory of Katnis, with dozens of bunches of brightly-coloured bouquets laid. 

One tribute reads: ‘I will remember your beautiful soul forever. Thinking and praying for your family.’

Another says: ‘Rest in peace beautiful girl.’

Walsall policing commander chief superintendent Phil Dolby said: ‘This is a shocking and tragic incident that has had a devastating impact on the family of the young girl, who are being supported by specially-trained family liaison officers.

‘My officers and I are hugely upset by this needless tragedy and we know that it is felt deeply by everyone in the community and we are continuing to support them along with our partner agencies.’

Police say two bikes have been recovered from near the scene, but neither has been identified yet as the one involved in the collision.

Officers are continuing to carry out CCTV enquiries in the surrounding area and have asked for anyone with information to get in touch. 

Ch supt Dolby added: ‘Officers have been working hard to tackle the issue of illegal and anti-social bike riding and we have held a number of recent operations, taking around 30 illegally-ridden motorcycles off the roads. 

‘However, more of them are being seen every day and we need communities to work with us to tackle this issue.

‘I want to send a clear message to the public that young people in the area are able to ride these bikes because, in many cases, adults are giving them the bikes to ride. 

‘They also bear responsibility for the potential consequences and this needs to stop. It causes distress to the communities blighted by it and it is incredibly dangerous.’

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