Toddler, 2, killed after being hit by van moments after letting go of mum’s hand

A two-year-old boy has died after he slipped out of his mother's hand and ran into an oncoming van.

The toddler, identified as Elmer Jeremias Torres, was rushed to hospital with severe injuries but died hours later.

The horrifying moment happened on the streets of Choloma, in the Honduran department of Cortés, Central America, and was caught on CCTV.

Footage showed the mother trying to get into a taxi with Elmer while holding shopping bags.

As she let go of the boy's hand to put the shopping down, he wandered off behind the taxi and ran onto the road.

The mother attempted to chase after him but did not realise the small van that was passing at speed.

The toddler was dragged under the wheels along the road for a few seconds before the driver realised what had happened.