A teenager who tragically died in a hit-and-run crash while cycling home from a friend’s house has been described as “beautiful and brilliant” by her friends as her family have paid tributes. The incident occurred on Thursday when Alfie Brown, 13, was hit by a white Ford Ranger truck that failed to stop in Swafield near North Walsham, Norfolk.
The road was closed after officers were called to the scene at 6.24pm on Thursday.
Emergency services including ambulance paramedics and an air ambulance were called to help, but unfortunately, the teenager died on the spot.
His aunt Emma Brown has now set-up a GoFundMe page to “give him the send off he truly deserves” which has raised more than £13,900 from over 800 donations.
On the fundraising page, Emma wrote: “Alfie was an adventurous, intelligent, beautiful boy with his whole life ahead of him.
“Life will never be the same without him and he will always be in our hearts.
“Alfie loved riding his bike, playing the guitar and learning new things. Alfie’s family are raising money to give him the send off he truly deserves, for flowers etc. Every pound goes a long way.”
Norfolk Police said the driver, who failed to stop, was located a short while after the incident. A man, aged in his 50s has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and failing to stop at the scene of a collision.
On Friday, police said he had been taken into custody for questioning, but have not issued an update.
The teenager’s father Andrew Brown added a tribute on Facebook, saying: “It’s with great sadness that I’m letting my friends know that my beautiful son Alfie Brown was killed by a hit and run in Swafield*. RIP Alfie dad loves you x”
He added: “My sister Emma Brown has set up a gofundme page to help with costs coz who has £5,000 spare.”
Alfie’s mother Bex Beauchamp also linked to the appeal in a Facebook post, she wrote: “Thank you for the support of Andrew’s family on Thursday and my own family and friends.
“Alfie’s aunt, Emma has set a GoFundMe me page and if anyone would like to help us help Alfie have the best send off and dignity he deserves and which wasn’t given to him by the driver at the scene then please…. please do. I would like to thank whoever’s it was that stopped and tried to help our Alfie afterwards.”
Norfolk Police are appealing for help from anyone who witnessed the collision or who may have relevant dashcam footage. Anyone with information is asked to contact Norfolk Polcie’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 101 or email SCIU@norfolk.police.uk quoting reference NC-10082023-376.
