Edinburgh parents mourn 'perfect son' who died riding bike during bin lorry crash

A schoolboy who died after being hit by a bin lorry in Edinburgh while riding his bike has been named by police.

Thomas Wong, 11, was pronounced dead at the scene of the collision on Whitehouse Road near its junction with Braehead Road on Friday at around 8.20am.

His family said they are “utterly heartbroken” by the death of their child.

Tributes to 11-year-old Edinburgh boy who was killed in a bin lorry collision. STV News

They said in a statement: “Thomas was the perfect son. He was the best little brother to his older sister and was adored by all his family.

“Thomas went to Cramond Primary School which he loved. He made good friends there. We will all miss him terribly.

“We are very grateful for all the sympathy and heartfelt messages we have received from people. Thank you.”

Thomas’s headteacher paid tribute to him, saying the school was “utterly devastated by the tragic news of the sudden death of one our pupils”.

She said: “Our thoughts are with his family and friends during this incredibly difficult time.

“He was always smiling. He was a positive, friendly and curious member of our school community.

“He was kind and always eager to support others, and will be greatly missed by all of us.”

It’s the second time in a month a child has died after being hit by a bin lorry. A girl, also 11, died in hospital on February 7, a week after being hit by a vehicle in the Borders.

The collision happened on Whitehouse Road near its junction with Braehead Road in Edinburgh. STV News

Inspector Andrew Thomson, of Police Scotland’s Road Policing Unit, said: “Our thoughts are very much with Thomas’s family and friends. Specially trained officers are supporting the family at this time.

“We are continuing with our enquiries to establish the full circumstances of the incident and would appeal to anyone who may have information, and has not yet contacted police, is to get in touch with officers.

“I would also be keen to speak to anyone who may have dash-cam or private CCTV footage from the area.

Anyone who can assist is asked to call Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 0578 of Friday, March 1.”

The lorry driver was uninjured.

A report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal, Police Scotland said.