TWO children were taken to hospital after being injured when they were hit by a car on a busy main road. 


Police said the three-year-old girl and a five-year-old boy were struck.

The incident happened on the corner of Blackburn Road and Monk Street, Accrington, with witnesses saying the pair were on their way to a nearby mosque with their mother.


An air ambulance was called to take the girl, who police said at the time might have potentially life-altering injuries, to Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital.

The boy was said to have minor injuries.


Two ambulances and two rapid response cars were also dispatched to the scene, an ambulance service spokesman said. 


Last night, police had cordoned off Blackburn Road to carry out accident investigation work.

They said the driver had stopped at the scene.

The circumstances around the incident were last night not known.


Following the incident, a Blackburn Road resident said: “A young girl, possibly three, and a boy, aged five or six, were crossing the road and they have been hit by a car. It happened right outside my house. 


“I’m not sure how serious the injuries are but I saw the girl had a head injury.

"She was laid down with her head on the kerb and the paramedics were being careful not to move her.

"I hope they are okay. It was worrying to see the air ambulance land.


“I am not sure how the accident happened because I was in my house but we have had problems with speeding cars for years. 


“Something needs to be done because this isn’t the first time this has happened and it won’t be the last.


“This is a busy road with children always walking along it, but I won’t let my children out because it is too dangerous.”


A witness said: “A mum and her two children were on their way to mosque when they have been hit by a car.

"The air ambulance landed and took someone to hospital. I just hope they are ok.”


A taxi driver from the area said: “This is absolutely tragic. A couple of kids have been crossing the road and they have been hit by a car.


“This is a really busy road.


“We have been asking for traffic calming measures before. They have bollards there but they clearly aren’t working. We need a pelican crossing. 


“I don’t know what has happened in this case, but it feels like Blackburn Road has become a race track.

"People know where the speed camera is and just slow down and speed off again.”


Cllr Munsif Dad, who lives in Monk Street, said he had been campaigning for a crossing for a number of years. He said:

“I came home from work and obviously the road was blocked by emergency vehicles.

“It is very sad news. I think it must be serious because I saw the air ambulance was called.

"As a local county councillor for the last two years I have been campaigning to have some sort of crossing there, either a zebra or pelican crossing. 


“I am in the later stages of convincing the county council to look at this area. 


“There have been various incidents either from speeding or other accidents. 


“I am adamant there needs to be some sort of crossing to protect the health and safety of people.

"There is a mosque and community centre on the other side of the road and there was a planning condition that stated some sort of crossing will be made available. We need to make sure something is done.” 


A North-West Air Ambulance spokeswoman said: “I can confirm that we attended the scene of the accident.

"There were two child pedestrians involved. They were both taken to the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital.

"One of them was taken by air ambulance and one by road.

“One of the children was more seriously injured so was airlifted to the hospital.”

Initially it was thought the girl had 'serious' injuries.

A police spokesman said: "Fortunately both of the children only received minor injuries they sustained only bumps and grazes."

The driver stopped at the scene, and no-one has been arrested in connection with the incident.

Any witnesses should call police on 101.