Hunt for speeding driver who ploughed into girl, 15, at 70mph while being chased by police - breaking both her legs and leaving her lucky to be alive

  • Danae Mills-Beresford, 15, was hit by car on junction at Nuthall Road, Nottingham
  • Officers from Nottinghamshire police tried to stop a Vauxhall Astra during chase
  • She suffered lacerations to kidney, two black eyes and broke both of her legs
  • Her father Nigel Beresford said the car 'came out of nowhere' 'going 70mph'  

By Emily Webber For Mailonline

Published: | Updated:

Danae Mills-Beresford, 15, was walking with her father Nigel Beresford, 32, from Basford, Nottingham when she was hit by a car 'going 70mph'

Danae Mills-Beresford, 15, was walking with her father Nigel Beresford, 32, from Basford, Nottingham when she was hit by a car 'going 70mph'

A 15-year-old girl was hit by a car and hurled through the air breaking both of her legs during a police car chase. 

Danae Mills-Beresford, was walking with her father Nigel Beresford, 32, from Basford, Nottingham when she was hit by a car 'going 70mph'.  

The incident happened on Tuesday 29 October around 10pm, at the junction of Broxtowe Lane and Nuthall Road, when officers from Nottinghamshire Police tried to stop a Vauxhall Astra. 

She suffered lacerations to her kidney and two black eyes and the impact of the crash has left Danae needing multiple surgeries after both her legs were broken, as well as her left arm.

'The car came out of nowhere', Mr Beresford said.

'It was horrible. She's doing very well but she is lucky. She's got a long journey ahead of her.'

Danae suffered lacerations to her kidney and two black eyes and the impact of the crash has left Danae needing multiple surgeries after both her legs were broken, as well as her left arm
She is currently being treated in Queen's Medical Centre and will be having more surgery on Monday to her left leg and wrist

Danae suffered lacerations to her kidney and two black eyes and the impact of the crash has left Danae needing multiple surgeries after both her legs were broken, as well as her left arm. She is currently being treated in Queen's Medical Centre and will be having more surgery on Monday to her left leg and wrist (left and right) 

According to police watchdog the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), which is investigating, a police chase ensued on the Broxtowe Estate when the Astra collided with Danae.

The car was abandoned in Bells Lane and the driver fled on foot.

Her mother, Kelly Mills, 30, said there were fears Danae might lose her right leg due to a blockage in her main artery.

She is currently being treated in Queen's Medical Centre and will be having more surgery on Monday to her left leg and wrist.

Mr Beresford recalls the night of the incident, as he was walking with Danae talking about films on the way back from the shops.  

He said: 'I tried to push her out the way but she moved back,' he said.

'So I grabbed her to pull her back but she got the full impact of the car into her right leg.

'She went into the air and landed quite far away. I was hysterical.

'An off duty trauma doctor was driving nearby and came to help, followed by a police officer.

'It all happened so fast but it felt like slow motion. I moved away from the scene, and then drove behind the ambulance to the hospital.'

Mr Beresford estimated the car was travelling around 70mph in what is a 30mph zone.

'I'm not happy there was a chase in the area. There were a lot of people still walking around.

'Danae is lucky to be alive. One of her trainers is still missing from the night because of how hard she was hit.

'I've thanked a lot of people already for their support but it has been a difficult time. Everyone's been traumatised.

'Both her mum and I are spending most of our time in hospital with Danae.

'I want the people who did it to know what they're responsible for doing. I want justice for my daughter.'

The case has been referred from Nottinghamshire Police to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

A spokesman for the IOPC told Nottinghamshire Live: 'We declared an independent investigation on October 30 and have begun to gather accounts from the officers involved, in-car footage from the police vehicles, and other relevant information.

'Our investigation is at an early stage and will examine the circumstances of the brief pursuit.

'We will be contacting the injured girl's family to explain our role and provide what information we are able as our investigation progresses.'

Call Nottinghamshire Police on 101 if you have any information about the incident.

You can also call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

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