Family's defense after boy performing on Britain's Got Talent was killed near school

The family of an 11-year-old boy who died after colliding with a car near his school has called for the speed limit on the road to be reduced to prevent further accidents.

Evan Rothwell, who once performed with an ensemble group on Britain’s Got Talent, was injured outside The King’s School in Chester at around 5.12pm on November 12.

The student was flown to Alder Hey Hospital in Liverpool but died four days later.

His family said they were “devastated” to lose their “beautiful son” and would remember him as someone who “lit up the world around him”.

In the statement published by Cheshire ConstabularyThe family called for the speed limit next to the school where Evan was injured to be changed.

“The speed limit on the road where Evan crashed is 40 mph,” the family said.

“This road is outside a school and we feel strongly that this road needs to be reduced to prevent something like this from happening again.”

They added: “Evan loved life and used his talents to entertain and bring joy to others.

“Evan was lighting up the world around him as he made his friends laugh with pranks and magic tricks, played cricket with his friends, performed with AmaSing on Britain’s Got Talent and entertained audiences as part of the Chester Scout’s Gang Show.

“He made us proud every day. We are shocked and devastated by his loss.”

Evan was ‘a cheerful and fun-loving person’

Headteacher George Hartley said the school was “united in grief and shock”, adding: “Evan will forever be remembered as a bright, cheerful and fun-loving classmate with an intellectual curiosity that belied his teenage years.

“This devastating news has shaken our school community to its core, and great challenges await our students, staff and parents.”

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No arrests have been made in connection with the collision, which involved a gray Nissan Qashqai, but officers are continuing to appeal for further information or dashcam footage.