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TRAM HORROR

Girl, 3, killed by driver who took ‘at least 20 lines of cocaine’ before smashing into tram in horror crash

Youngster was on family day out when van mounted pavement
An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows Young girl sitting and eating a pastry, Image 2 shows Tram and van crash scene in Manchester

A DRIVER who took "at least twenty lines of cocaine" before killing a three-year-old girl in a crash has pleaded guilty over her death.

Louisa Palmisano was walking in Manchester when a van driven by Rawal Rehman ricocheted off a tram and ploughed into her.

Tram and van crash scene with police tape.
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Louisa Palmisano died in a horror tram crashCredit: Alamy

The youngster - known as Lulu - tragically couldn't be saved and died shortly after the horror in February.

Rehman, 35, appeared at Manchester Crown Court today where he admitted causing death by dangerous driving.

The horror unfolded on February 22 as Lulu walked on Mosley Street just before 10am during a visit to Manchester with her parents.

Prosecutor Rachel Shenton said Rehman had taken the drugs and visited two massage parlours in the hours before the crash.

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He then smashed his white Mercedes-Benz van into a tram, then mounted the pavement and hit the youngster.

Rehman initially fled the scene after he "panicked" but was later arrested.

The court was told he previously spent three years in jail after he torched a car involved in another fatal hit-and-run crash.

Rehman was remanded in custody until sentencing on May 27.

Lulu's parents paid tribute to the little girl, saying: "Louisa (Lulu) was the sweetest, kindest, and most generous little girl.

“She was full of creativity and joy, and she absolutely loved going to nursery every day.

“Her absence has left a devastating void in our family—she was our only child, our whole world.

“We were simply enjoying a happy family day out in Manchester when this unimaginable tragedy struck. In an instant, our lives were shattered beyond repair.

“The pain of losing her is unbearable, and we miss her more than words can ever express.”

Young girl sitting and eating a pastry.
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Louisa was on a family day out at the timeCredit: PA
Flowers left as a tribute.
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Tributes flooded in for the tragic youngsterCredit: MEN Media
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