Community in shock over tragedy

Feb 9 2006 By Tony Deeley, Birmingham Mail

A CLOUD of shock and despair hung over a community today as people reflected on the fate of baby Troy Simpson.

Mother-of-two Claudia Vukulu-Luzingo, of Wellington Road, said: "It is awful. There are no words to describe what has happened."

The 41-year-old mother said she saw the police searching the culvert when she came back from work last night.

"Someone told me they had found a body - then when I watched TV later I realised it was that of a child. We live in a crazy world. I am so glad it is not my children involved in all this."

Lois Reardon, aged 51, of Church Road said that she knew Troy's mother from when she was at Uplands Manor Primary School with her daughter. She said: "What has happened is very surprising and shocking. It is a tragic situation. The baby was a lovely little child."

Michelle Fagan, aged 40, also of Church Road said: "I am really shocked."

A man living in Dorothy Road, who did not wish to be named, said: "I am just shocked and horrified about it all."

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