'You didn't know if she was dead or alive' says mother of injured six-year-old to hit-and-run driver

Aoife Metcalfe was struck by a car – believed to be a small, black four-door hatchback – at the junction of Cleveland Terrace and Swinburne Road, in Darlington, at about 4.40pm last Monday (January 18).

The CCTV footage released by police.

She was returning to the car after a dental appointment along with her mother, Clair, and younger brother, Tiernan, when the incident happened.

Mrs Metcalfe, who described a sickening 'thud' as her daughter was struck, believes Aoife was just inches from suffering serious injuries.

She said she thanks her lucky stars that her daughter, who is in year one at Ingleton Primary School, was not badly hurt.

Aoife, who was struck on the side of her arm and head, was rushed to Darlington Memorial Hospital by her mother, where she was treated for suspected concussion and whiplash and released the same day.

Since the incident, which is being investigated by police, the Ingleton Primary School pupil has been more nervous when crossing the road and when hearing traffic noises.

Aoife had walked round to the side of her mother's car and was hit by a driver who was swerving to avoid an oncoming vehicle.

Mother-of-three Mrs Metcalfe, 42, said: "I could torture myself with the 'what ifs' – what if she was another two inches further away from my car?

"I thank my lucky stars that she was not badly hurt, but what is to say another child would be so lucky?

"One of my best friends from school was killed by a hit-and-run driver, so it really upsets me that someone would just drive away.

"If they had just stopped, we could have had a conversation and it would have been over and done with.

"But they drove off and they had no idea whether my little girl was alive or dead.

"They didn't care and that's what makes me angry.

"The worrying thing is, if they get away with it this time, they could do it again and the victim may not be as lucky as Aoife. They need to come forward."

Mrs Metcalfe and the police are keen to hear from one driver who did stop to help after the collision.

She was driving a white Range Rover 4x4 and is described as a well-dressed blonde-haired woman aged about 40.

She stopped to check Aoife's condition, but left the scene without leaving her details.

Darlington Police said the car that hit Aoife was driven away in the direction of Coniscliffe Road.

A spokesman said: "We believe the vehicle involved in the collision was a small, black, four-door car and would urge the driver to come forward."

News of Aoife's ordeal has spread widely on social media, but the driver of the car that hit her has so far not been traced.

Witnesses can call police on the non-emergency number 101.