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The fatal van crash that left a city horrified

Ewan Gawne
BBC News, Manchester
BBC A bystander watches near a police cordon strapped near the art gallery and other modern office and apartment blocksBBC
Lulu died after she was taken from the scene of the crash to hospital

A family's trip out one sunny day in Manchester became an "unimaginable tragedy" for the parents of three-year-old Louisa Palmisano, who was killed when she was hit by a van.

The driver, 35-year-old Rawal Rehman, has pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving after he struck the child, known as Lulu, on Saturday 22 February.

A court heard he had taken "20 lines of cocaine" when he first crashed into a tram before his van was forced on to the pavement where the child, from Burnley in Lancashire, was walking hand-in-hand with her parents.

Rehman flagged down a taxi to escape the scene, leading to a police manhunt before he was arrested two days later.

Lulu's parents had taken their daughter to the city for the weekend and were walking first along Booth Street.

At about 10:00 BST, Lulu was hit after the van crashed into the tram on Mosely Street, close to Manchester Art Gallery.

PA Media Louisa Palmisano smiles wearing a pink button-up jumper with a blue headband. She is sat in a chair next to a radiator indoors. PA Media
Louisa Palmisano's family said they "miss her more than words can ever express"

The tram had no time to react as Rehman had ignored the stop and warning signs and driven straight into the oncoming vehicle, according to the Crown Prosecution Service.

Rehman's car then mounted the pavement and struck the girl, who was given emergency treatment as a junior doctor and other passers-by ran to help.

Lulu was taken to Manchester Royal Infirmary but her severe injuries, which included major head trauma, were too much for her to survive.

A stationary yellow and black Metrolink tram, flanked by an ambulance and police vehicles, at the scene of the collision.
The three-year-old died after she was hit by the van in the city centre

Lulu was described in a tribute by her parents as the "sweetest, kindest, and most generous little girl", who was full of creativity and joy, and "absolutely loved going to nursery every day".

They said "The pain of losing her is unbearable and we miss her more than words can ever express."

Rehman fled the scene of the crash and was arrested by Greater Manchester Police two days later on Monday 24 February.

He was later charged with causing death by dangerous driving, and on Tuesday pleaded guilty to the offence.

In the aftermath, a Manchester City Council spokesman said the incident left "all of Manchester horrified".

Lulu's parents said: "In an instant, our lives were shattered beyond repair.

"Her absence has left a devastating void in our family. She was our only child, our whole world."

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