Primary school's heartfelt tribute to 'beloved' children killed in tragic Pitsea crash

An Essex school has paid tribute to two "beloved" children who were killed in a hit-and-run crash. Roman Casselden, 16, and his nine-year-old sister Darcie died after a collision with a vehicle in Pitsea on Saturday (February 1).

Emergency services rushed to Ashlyns in Pitsea, near Basildon, shortly after the collision. Two people were arrested in connection with the incident have been released with a man and a woman released under investigation.

Hearts Academy Trust, which runs Briscoe Primary School where the siblings were both pupils, paid tribute to them. A fundraising page set up to help with funeral costs has raised more than £29,000 since it was created.

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A statement from chief executive Don Wry said they were deeply saddened by the death of Darcie and her brother Roman. Darcie was a pupil at the school whilst Roman had left in July 2019.

They said: "During this time of immeasurable loss, our thoughts and sympathies are with Darcie and Roman’s family, friends and to all those who knew them both. Darcie and Roman were both beloved children and members of our school community.

"We know their loss will be felt by many and we will continue to support friends, family and the wider staff and locality. We kindly ask that the family’s, school’s, and Hearts Academy Trust’s wishes and privacy are respected at this time, as we collectively mourn their loss and as we provide support and help for each other and the young people in our care who knew and loved Darcie and Roman."

Chief Superintendent Leighton Hammett said officers are "making good progress" in their investigation. They said: "This has been a hugely emotive incident and I know the family, and wider community, want to know what happened.

"We are making good progress in our investigation which is focussing on a number of factors. I know there has been a lot of commentary online about the incident but I would ask that people please do not speculate. We will investigate and we will get the answers."