A TEENAGE girl has been killed in a road tragedy.

Police are appealing for witnesses after 19-year-old pedestrian Caroline Hampshaw died when she was in an accident with a car, which failed to stop at the scene.

The tragedy happened at the junction of Penistone Road and Cleveland Way, Shelley, at 9.30 last night.

Former Shelley High School pupil Caroline, of Stocks Way, Shepley, is thought to have been killed instantly. The accident involved a silver Honda Civic.

Police arrested a 31-year-old man soon after the accident and he was being interviewed today.

Sgt Steve Ball, of Huddersfield traffic police, said: "We need to speak to anyone who saw the Honda being driven towards Shelley from Huddersfield just before the accident, the accident itself or what happened afterwards.

"We believe Caroline, a hairdresser, had got off a bus and was walking on Penistone Road. We would like to speak to anyone who had been with her or saw her at the time of the accident."

Today, people living near the scene of the tragedy spoke of their shock and sorrow.

Penistone Road resident Mrs Ann Littlewood said: "It's awful. This is a terrible tragedy. We are all stunned in Shelley. It's appalling."

Mrs Littlewood's husband, John, said: "We've been on to Kirklees Council about the road and we'll be on to them again."

Mrs Littlewood said: "I went to draw the curtains at 10.30pm and saw the road was closed.

"An ambulance left the scene without its lights and sirens on. I just assumed it couldn't be too serious. But I was wrong."

Mother-of-two Gill Haynes, of Bankfield, said: "This accident is really shocking. We'd been to visit friends and saw the police tape. We knew it must have been a fatality."

A teenage girl, who lives near the scene of the accident, said: "This road is too dangerous."

The accident happened near where Mary Carruthers, of Bankfield, was killed when she was in an accident with a car in December, 2000. She died on her 80th birthday.

* Phone police on 01484 436847.