A woman heard "screaming and crying" from a mum whose 11-year-old boy was killed by a bus in Bolton.
The youngster, who has not yet been named, died after being knocked down by the bus on Vernon Street, last Friday afternoon, while he was riding his bike, Greater Manchester Police said.
The bus driver was "assisting officers with enquiries" and police said that no arrests had been made, reported the Manchester Evening News.
The local community has been shocked by the tragedy with one woman, Leoni Johnson, telling how she "couldn't watch" as the road became full of emergency vehicles.
Ms Johnson, who lives near the scene, said she witnessed the aftermath of the crash and saw who she believed to be the boy's mum "screaming and crying".
"I went to the shop and by the time I came back the road was flooded with police," she said.
"There were riot vans in the back street. I heard the mum screaming, crying. It was awful.
"I’m a mum too so I couldn’t watch, I had to come inside. We found out on the news that he had passed away. It’s every parent’s worst nightmare."
She said children in the area regularly ride their bikes along Vernon Street and other roads in the area.
"There are so many little kids that play up here, mine included,” she added.
"It’s a shame. It’s just been Christmas and it’s New Year’s Eve today. I can’t imagine what that family is going through."
Another resident said the incident had shocked the local community.
"It’s absolutely devastating," she said. "It was really eerie and sad yesterday. Even before we knew he had passed away, you just knew.
"There was a bad feeling. It’s quite a close-knit community. Everyone knows everyone around here. It’s shocked the area. You just don’t think something like this will happen on your door step."
Floral tributes have been left at the scene of the crash for the boy. A note on one of the bunches read: "Fly high with the angels. Sleep well beautiful. Always in our thoughts."
Police are appealing for any witnesses of the crash - which happened at around 1.40pm - to come forward. They particularly want to speak to anyone who was on the bus involved.
