Tragedy as girl, 3, killed after being hit by car while crossing road with mum just a day after celebrating birthday

A THREE-YEAR-OLD girl has tragically died after being struck by a car just a day after her birthday. Elif Mavi Avli and her mother Merve were walking in Odunpazari, Turkey when the horrifying accident occurred. Horrifying footage shows the disastrous incident Credit: Harrisons Young Elif died just one day after her third birthday Credit: Harrisons The tragedy happened just one day after Elif celebrated her birthday with her family. Harrowing CCTV footage shows the mother and daughter crossing the road when a vehicle, driven by 40-year-old Fatos Akil Bilgesoy, hits them. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! Elif and Merve attempt to swerve as Bilgesoy appears to not slow down. The two were fatally struck down and severely injured by the collision. Merve suffered minor injuries and immediately rushed to her daughter as horrified onlookers hurried to help. A heroic pedestrian was seen taking the severely injured child in his arms and attempting to get her to hospital. Elif was initially taken to a private hospital for treatment before later being transferred to Eskisehir Osmangazi University Faculty of Medicine Hospital. Despite emergency medical treatment, the three-year-old succumbed to her injuries and sadly died. Most read in The Sun Elif’s family are seeking justice for her death Credit: Harrisons Elif and Merve just moments before disaster Credit: Harrisons Elif’s devastated family held a burial and funeral at Asri Cemetery in Eskisehir which was attended by grieving family and friends. In a heartbreaking speech at the funeral, her father Fatih Avli said: “I want justice for my daughter, whom I celebrated her birthday one day and buried the next. May God never make anyone suffer the pain of losing a child. We want justice.” Her uncle Ali Avli said the family demanded justice for the catastrophic turn of events. He said: “One day I chose a present for my niece, and the next day I chose her grave.” Bilgesoy claims she was not “at fault” in the horrific accident and had been driving at only 6 to 12 mph. She added that she “immediately braked”, despite contradicting surveillance footage. According to her account, the accident happened because the distance was “so short.” She said: “I am very sorry about what happened. I wish such an incident had never happened.” Bilgesoy clarified that she was in shock and could not remember some of the events clearly. She was originally placed under house arrest for allegedly hitting and killing Elif Mavi Avli. However, she was re-arrested following an appeal by the prosecutor’s office and Elif’s family. Family lawyer Harun Guncay said the family had challenged the expert report used in the case. He claimed the report indicated that the driver was at fault and Elif had been dragged for 46 feet in the collision. Guncay said: “We requested detention, taking into account the death of a three-year-old girl and the family’s suffering.” Merve broke down outside the courthouse after the family’s statement and had to be helped up by relatives. Bilgesoy was remanded in custody and later appeared in court on suspicion of causing death by negligence. The investigation into Elif’s death is continuing. Turkish media reports also noted that Bilgesoy is married to Metin Bilgesoy, who serves on the Eskisehir provincial executive board of the AK Party, the political party led by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Comment now