A WAGON driver was today being questioned about the death of a schoolboy who died after being knocked down on a pelican crossing.

Gary Lee Ormerod, seven, suffered multiple head and body injuries as he crossed the A56 Burnley Road near the junction with Phillips Lane at 4.30pm yesterday.

He was taken to Burnley General Hospital but staff could not save him. His family were too upset to speak about his death today.

Police said the driver of the Leyland Roadrunner flat-backed wagon, a 41-year-old man from Trawden, was arrested at the scene and was being questioned by officers today.

A police spokeswoman added: "A CCTV camera on the bus has recorded the incident and showed clearly that the two boys were using the crossing correctly."

Police said Gary, who lived in Burnley Road, had begun crossing the road with his nine-year-old brother after a bus had stopped at the pelican crossing for them.

Inspector Steve Chapman said: "As they crossed the road on the crossing, a red tipper lorry overtook the bus and collided with Gary.

"He suffered multiple head and body injuries and later died."

The single decked bus was being operated by the Burnley and Pendle bus company.

Madeleine Woods, who lives in Burnley Road close to the scene of the accident, said: "It's a very busy road the majority of the day.

"We had to fight to get the crossing there because at one point you just could not get across the road.

"It was very eerie all around here last night because everyone could feel the tension of what had happened. It's terrible."

A local shopkeeper, who did not want to be named, said: "No-one wants to talk about a death like this. All we can say is everyone around here is really upset about it."

Another resident of Burnley Road who wanted to remain anonymous said: "There are a lot of children who live around this area and go to the schools nearby. Something like this is very sad for everyone."

Staff at Primet Primary School where Gary was a pupil have said they are too upset to comment at this stage.

Police are now appealing for witnesses to the accident to call PC Hitchin at Colne Police Station on 01282 425701.

Graham Mitchell, communications manager for the Harrogate-based Blazefield Group which took over Burnley and Pendle Travel from Stagecoach last April, said: "A Burnley and Pendle bus was present at the scene of the accident though not involved in the accident. The bus was one of our most modern vehicles, fully equipped with CCTV cameras both internal and external.

"These cameras have recorded the entire event. That film material is being made available to Lancashire police.

"Burnley and Pendle are fully co-operating with Lancashire police in their investigation and we don't feel it's appropriate that we comment any further."