A BOY and teenage girl have died after being hit by a car in separate road tragedies.

Twelve-year-old Dean Wheeler was knocked down as he crossed a busy road.

And student Rebecca Kent, 17, from Hextable, had just left a pub following an evening out when she was hit by a car along Bromley Common.

Dean Wheeler, from Mottingham, had left Kemnal Technology College for the day when he was hit by a car on the A20 Sidcup bypass.

The impact hurled him 65 feet into the air and over the central reservation onto the southbound carriageway. Onlookers said the driver of the Citroen Xantia involved -- a 34-year-old Chislehurst man -- had no chance of avoiding the collision at 3.30pm last Wednesday.

Form captain Dean died from multiple injuries at Queen Mary's Hospital, Sidcup, at 4.45pm. The Year 8 pupil, was going to catch a 638 bus at Beaverwood Lodge leisure club.

Cousins Mark and Lee Waddilove, 15 and 14 respectively, and Jamie Fitzgerald, 14, tried to stop him crossing the six-lane bypass.

It is not known why Dean wanted to cross the road. But moments earlier, his brothers Craig, 14, and Glen, 16, also Kemnal pupils, walked under a subway to catch a 321 bus home.

Kemnal college principal John Atkins, who told his 950 pupils of the tragedy at a special assembly on Thursday, said: "Everyone at the school is just devastated."

Friends and parents left flowers and messages tied to a lamp-post at the roadside. One card read: "Dean Wheeler -- we will miss you lots."

Police investigating have appealed for witnesses.

Rebecca Kent, 17, from Hextable, died after colliding with a car following a night out with friends. She was on her way home from the Chatterton Arms pub when she collided with a white Volvo as she walked along Bromley Common, Bromley, at 11.30pm on Thursday.

She was rushed to Bromley Hospital with head and spinal injuries and died at 1.30am on Sunday. A post-mortem will be held this week.

The driver, Maria King, of Challock Close, Biggin Hill, was shaken but did not need medical help.

Catford traffic police's Joanna Price said: "It was a nasty accident and we are appealing for witnesses." Call Sergeant John Dell on 0181 284 5988.

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