A parent is calling for a zebra crossing to be built in a “dangerous” road where a four-year-old boy died after being hit by a car.

Edwin Kofi Adu was taken to hospital on Wednesday, April 19, but was pronounced dead on arrival.

He was struck by a silver Volkswagen van on Montrose Avenue at the junction with Burnt Oak Broadway, in Edgware at 7.15pm.

The driver of the vehicle stopped at the scene but has not been arrested.

Raju Maharjar lives nearby in Montrose Court and his two sons, who are aged 11 and six, often played outside with Edwin.

He said it was a “sad thing” to happen in the area and admitted he has always been concerned about the safety of the children playing near the “busy” road.

The 38-year-old said: “It is a dangerous road and there should be a zebra crossing, as there are lots of children in the area.

“It was a sad thing to happen in the area and shouldn’t have happened. It is bound to make other parents who live round here fear for the safety of their children.

“Throughout the day, cars travel down at fast speeds as there are no signs telling them to slow down and there are constant queues of cars because it is such a busy road. It needs to be controlled.”

Other neighbours spoke of how “traumatising” the past week had been.

Peter Doyle, 72, who lives in Montrose Avenue, said: “It was a really sad thing to happen and I have never seen anything this bad happen before.

“The road was blocked up from each end and there were loads of people around.”

Patrick Pajzner lives nearby in St Alphage Walk and felt “very emotional” as he drove past Montrose Avenue shortly after the incident.

The 22-year-old said: “I was literally two seconds away and was driving up the street and saw the air ambulance. It was horrific and a very emotional scene.”

Another neighbour in St Alphage Walk, who did not wish to be named, also believes the road needs to be safer.

They said: “It is a horrible corner and I was upset to hear what had happened to the little boy. The whole thing has been traumatising and awful for everybody in the area.”

Jamie Blake, Barnet Council’s commissioning director for Environment said: “Our thoughts are very much with the family at this time and I would like to extend my condolences to them.

"Road safety is something which we take extremely seriously and after an accident such as this we work very closely with the police to look at what measures might improve safety.”