Nightmare after girl killed by uninsured delivery driver

Minaal Salam was killed two years ago, as she crossed the road outside her primary school

A mother has spoken for the first time about the death of her five-year-old daughter who was knocked down and killed by an uninsured food delivery driver.

Minaal Salam was killed on 1 April 2022, as she crossed the road with her father outside her primary school, Newstead academy in Blurton, Stoke-on-Trent.

The driver, who had no business insurance, carried the little girl on the bonnet of his car but then went on to drop off a takeaway before coming back to the scene.

Minaal's mum, Alia Anum, 33, from Stoke-on-Trent, said her daughter was the "centre" of the family and described losing her as a "nightmare".

"She was my world," said Ms Anum, who added: "To me, she was a sister, a friend, a companion.

"She was a lovely girl with big dreams; she loved to be called a princess."

On 1 April Minaal was picked up from the after-school club by her father.

As they were waiting to cross Waterside Drive, she stepped out and was struck by a car driven by 63-year-old delivery driver Istvan Zarka.

Minaal's mum, Alia Anum, said her daughter was the "centre" of the family

An inquest last year was told the girl was carried on the bonnet of the vehicle before falling onto the pavement.

The driver stopped briefly, drove on to deliver the takeaway and then came back to the scene of the accident.

Minaal's father, a neurosurgeon, administered CPR, but could not save his daughter's life.

The coroner decided her death was a "tragic accident".

Zarka received eight penalty points on his licence for driving without valid business insurance.

The food he was delivering was ordered on an app run by Stoke-on-Trent company FoodHub.

'Very profitable'

The mother said the company never contacted her.

"I think they have huge responsibility to their drivers, they have never been in touch.

"They don't employ their drivers, but the food is being ordered to them, and they take money out of it. And it's a very profitable business."

Foodhub does not employ any drivers. It relies on individual takeaways to organise their own deliveries.

After the BBC made contact, FoodHub promised to get in touch with Alia.

It said: "We were deeply saddened to be informed of the tragic death of Minaal Salam and offer our sincerest condolences to her family.

"We advocate responsible and legal operations across the industry and would de-list any business where complaints were upheld."

Ms Anum is also concerned about what she sees as a lack of safety improvements outside the school.

New warning signs have been installed and double yellow lines painted on areas where cars used to be parked restricting drivers' views. But she does not think that is enough.

"There are four hundred plus kids there and every morning and at home time they cross the road there is no proper place to cross the road.

"There should be a zebra crossing with a light."

She has one piece of advice for drivers.

"Make sure if you're in a school area, slow your speed and try to be kind to each other.

"I don't want anyone else to go through this pain."