A schoolgirl died under the wheels of a lorry just metres from a pedestrian crossing.
Witnesses heard a high-pitched scream and a bang as the 13-year-old was hit by a white lorry, sending her pencil case and school bags spilling onto the South Circular in Hither Green, south east London.
Police said she died from serious head injuries at the scene in Brownhill Road at around 7.35am.
Residents said she is the second person to die near the crossing in the last four weeks after an elderly women was killed on June 26.
The driver of the lorry stopped and was arrested at the scene on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.
Robyn Spencer, 22, who is doing an apprenticeship in childcare, and lives nearby, said: “My dad and I were getting ready for work when I heard this high-pitched scream.
“We went up to give her some help but there was literally nothing we could do.”
Father-of-three John Lowe, 34, a security guard, said: “I just heard a loud bang and rushed out and there was a girl lying on the floor, and her pencil case and school bag were on the road.”
Police are appealing for witnesses to the fatal collision.
A spokesman said: “Officers and ambulance service attended the scene. The pedestrian a 13-year-old girl was pronounced dead at the scene.
“Next of kin have not been informed and enquires to trace and contact them are ongoing.
“The driver of the lorry, a man, stopped at the scene. He was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and taken into custody at a south London police station.
“The Serious Collision Investigation Unit at Catford Traffic Garage are investigating.”
It was the second lorry death in London in the space of two days. Yesterday a builder died in the City after being struck by a construction lorry.
