Additional reporting by Sofia Akin

A devastated dad whose son was killed in a suspected hit-and-run has told how "yesterday I had two beautiful children, now I only have one".

Seven-year-old William Brown died after being struck by two vehicles in Sandgate, near Folkestone, when he went to retrieve a football at 5.35pm yesterday (Wednesday).

Speaking to KentOnline while clutching a firefighter’s jacket, handed to him to stay warm in the street while his son fought for his life, William Brown Snr described his beloved little boy as a “gentle” and “wonderful child”.

"He was so excited about Christmas,” he said. “My boy was a kind and pure soul. There are no other words for it.

“He was liked by everybody – everybody loved him.

“He was just full of life, laughter, love. He was always smiling. He had so much energy and it was just infectious, the spirit that he brought.

“Words cannot explain what that boy meant to the whole circle of people he was involved with.

Video: Father of William Brown Jr and his partner Vicky Phillips

“I just want to say thanks to my son for seven years of joy, happiness and kindness and warmth that he brought to so many people – his family, his school friends, anyone that he met.”

Mr Brown told how William was “best friends” with his six-year-old sister Pearl, whom he adored, and how they still went to see her school play today.

“We went to her nativity today to support her, to let her know that she isn’t alone now,” he said.

He told of his boy's amazing ability to remember facts.

Despite being just seven, the St Eanswythes Primary School pupil had learned the names and traits of numerous dinosaurs and, if asked, knew how many teeth were inside some shark species’ jaws.

“He just knew so much it was unbelievable,” Mr Brown Snr said.

“He would love to tell you a fact, and then you’d say ‘No that can’t be true’, but when you looked it up in Google and he was right, he would say ‘I told you, didn’t I.”

One of Wlliam’s favourite spots was the Warren in Folkestone, a remote beachfront with archaeological significance, his dad said.

“He just loved fossils,” Mr Brown explained. “He was interested in so much about the world around him.

“He loved his dog Boycie.”

William also adored football, particularly Cristiano Ronaldo and supported Manchester United.

He could name about 100 players and was well aware of some who had retired many years ago.

Mr Brown added: "I cannot say enough, cherish your children because you never know what's going to happen.

"Yesterday, I had two beautiful children, today I have one beautiful daughter, six years old. They were joined at the hip.

"Pull your kids in close, tell them you love them. Pull all your family in close, anyone you love. It's really important."

Police and ambulance crews had rushed to the town centre after the incident, but despite efforts to save his life, William died at the scene.

The collision happened on the A259 Sandgate Esplanade, near its junction with Prospect Road.

It involved two vehicles – an unidentified car or van and a red Citroen car.

The unidentified vehicle left the scene in the direction of Hythe, before the arrival of emergency services.

This afternoon, police confirmed a 49-year-old man from the Dymchurch area had been arrested in connection with the collision.

Witnesses of the collision, or who saw either the victim or vehicles in the moments leading up to it, are still urged to contact the Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 01622 798538, quoting reference MM/DGC/130/23. You can also email sciu.td@kent.pnn.police.uk

Drivers are also asked to check dashcams or CCTV for any footage that may help the investigation, including footage in the area before and after the incident.