PRAYERS have been said in school for a pupil who is fighting for his life after being hit by a van.

Abdi Ali Abdullahi, aged eight, suffered serious head injuries after he was struck by the Vauxhall Vivaro in Brownlow Way, Brownlow Fold, at about 7.10pm on Tuesday evening.

Abdi, who is in Year Three at St Matthew’s CE School in Halliwell, had been playing on the pavement when he ran out into the road. He also suffered a broken leg and is in a critical condition in hospital.

Barbara Haworth, headteacher at St Matthew’s, said the whole school was praying for Abdi.

She said: “We are all very shocked and everyone in the school is praying for him and thinking about him. He is just a lovely little boy with lots of friends and a lot of personality.

“His Year Three teacher said that he is always making her laugh and that he has a great sense of humour — she is obviously very upset about what has happened.

“We haven’t actually received a lot of information about what happened yet, we are planning on holding a full school assembly to let all the children know.”

Following the accident police cordoned off a section of the road between the school and the junction with Merehall Street.

One Brownlow Way resident, who who asked not to be named, said: “There were a large number of police in the area and they were taking photos of the scene.

“They cordoned off a section of the road for at least two hours.

“It is awful and I hope he gets better soon. This is a very busy road and it has a dangerous bend on the roundabout. I have nearly been hit by a car before.”

Greater Manchester Police have launched an investigation and are appealing for any witnesses to contact them.

Anyone with information can call police on 0161 8564741 or 0161 8564742.