Boy, 4, dies after being hit by bus as he walked out of hospital

Police said the boy left the hospital on foot before the crash happened

A four-year-old boy died when he was hit by a bus after walking out of a hospital in Kent, police have said.

Police were called following a report of a crash outside the Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Hospital in Margate at about 16:00 BST on Thursday.

The boy has been named locally as Zaahir Jan.

He was taken inside the hospital but was confirmed dead a short while later. His next of kin has been informed.

Kent Police said the boy left the hospital on foot before the crash happened.

Eyewitness Gillian Murphy, a patient at the hospital, said: "It was very busy with cars, and the bus was having trouble getting through. Next thing I knew, he was under the bus."

A four-year-old boy has died after he was hit by a bus outside QEQM hospital in Margate

Tracey Fletcher, chief executive of East Kent Hospitals NHS Trust, said: "We are very saddened by yesterday's tragic incident and send our sincere condolences to the family."

The bus, a white single decker vehicle, was travelling near the entrance to the A&E department, police added.

A spokesperson for the bus company Stagecoach said: "This is an ongoing investigation and we are currently co-operating with the police."

A Kent County Council spokesperson: "We are deeply saddened by this tragic death and our thoughts and sympathies are with the family at this time.

"As always when such a sad incident occurs, the council will work with appropriate partners to assist in any related inquiries should they be considered necessary."

Anyone who witnessed the crash, or who has CCTV and dashcam footage of the incident, is urged to contact the force.