MYSTERY surrounds the identity of a motorist who killed a schoolgirl and seriously injured her friend in a hit-and-run crash.
Sophie Brannan, 11, was killed when the motorist ploughed into her, while Chelsea Somerville, 10, was seriously injured.
Chelsea's uncle Joseph Lloyd, 36, was also injured when the trio were walking back from the shops in Sandbank Street, Maryhill, on Friday evening.
Police have revealed the black Vauxhall Astra, which mounted the pavement and ploughed in to them, was a hire car.
However, detectives are following up "several lines of inquiry" in a bid to establish exactly who was behind the wheel at 7.30pm on Friday, when local bars would have been busy with football fans about to watch the Scotland v Ireland match.
Police would not comment on whether the hire car was stolen.
Detective Superintendent Stevie Grant, said: "We know the car involved had been hired and we also know who had access to it. However, we cannot, at this time, say that the person who hired it was the driver involved in the crash.
"We have yet to trace the person who hired this car and I would urge him to come forward and speak to police at the earliest opportunity."
The vehicle involved was a black Vauxhall Astra, '14' plate, with five doors.
Mr Grant said that after the car struck the pedestrians, it then made off into Maryhill Road, and eventually Lochburn Road, where it collided with a Ford S-Max taxi.
The driver then abandoned the car and ran off towards the canal.
Police appealed for information about the incident and urged the driver to "do the right thing" and come forward.
Mr Grant added: "I would appeal to anyone who saw the crash or the vehicle involved, either before or after the incident, to come forward.
"People may not realise that a little bit of information could be vital to this investigation.
"It is imperative we trace the person responsible.
"I would urge anyone who knows who this man is to get in touch. I would also appeal to him to do the right thing and come forward."
Mr Lloyd is receiving treatment for a fractured shoulder in the city's Western Infirmary
Chelsea was taken to Yorkhill Hospital and is being treated for a fractured leg.
Dozens of floral tributes have been left at railings on Sandbank Street close to the spot where the car came off the road.
Among the emotional messages left with the flowers was one, clearly written by another child, which read: "Miss you so much already, Sophie. Gone but we will never forget you. I will always make sure wee Kyle will know who you were. He loved you."
The driver is described as white, aged 25 to 35, medium build with short shaven hair.
He was wearing a dark-coloured jacket, dark jeans and white trainers
The driver failed to stop and the car was later found abandoned in a nearby street.
Mr Grant said: "The thoughts of the officers involved in the investigation and that of Police Scotland are with the family of Sophie Brannan, and the injured parties, Chelsea Sommerville and her uncle Joseph Lloyd.
"So far, the response from the local community has been excellent, however we need further information."
Anyone with information about the hit-and-run is asked to call Maryhill CID on 101.
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