A YOUNG mother looked on in horror as her two-year-old son was killed in a horrific road accident.

Devastated Joanne Pickersgill screamed out as her son Philip left her side and stepped into the path of an oncoming van at the junction of Banks Lane and Hall Street, Offerton, on Monday.

But it was too late to save the tragic tot who was instantly hit by the Ford pick-up truck and dragged under its wheels.

Police and paramedics were quickly on the scene and tried to revive Philip - who would have been three in December - but he was pronounced dead on arrival at Stepping Hill Hospital.

His mum Joanne, who had her six-month-old son John with her in a pushchair at the time of the accident, and truck driver Barry Keighron, 34, from Withington, were also admitted to hospital suffering from severe shock.

Mr Keighron provided a negative breath test at the scene.

Speaking from the family home on Marbury Road, Reddish, on Tuesday, grandad Cliff Thickett, 61, said they were all shocked by what had happened and Joanne, who has one other son, Edward, four, was still too upset to comment.

He told the Stockport Express: "We are all numb by what has happened and Joanne is still too distraught to talk about it. It is an awful shock."

He said it was even more of a shock since Philip had always stayed at his mother's side.

"Philip had apparently been clinging onto the buggy but then just darted out into the road. It is strange that he ran out as,normally,that is just what he would not do.

"He would always stand by his mum and would not go into the road. He had been disciplined to do that."

Cliff added that Philip was an affectionate child who would be sadly missed.

"Philip was a quiet but loveable child. He never grasped talking yet always had a smile on his face and was very affectionate. We will miss him."

Following the accident, the family attended a small memorial service given by a chaplain at the hospital.

Inspector John Williams, of Hazel Grove traffic unit, said: "We are all very upset for the mother and the family. A lot of us are parents here and we feel desperately sad."

A number of witnesses have come forward since the accident but police are still appealing for information about the accident which occurred at around 2.15pm.