Schoolgirls Hit By Car As They Waited For Bus

Eight girls have been treated in hospital for broken bones and tissue damage after they were hit by a car outside a school in Liverpool.

Police were called by a passerby who witnessed the collision involving a yellow Peugeot car at about 3.20pm, close to Belvedere Academy.

Police said the vehicle mounted a kerb and hit the youngsters as they waited for buses outside the school.

The 80-year-old woman driver stopped at the scene in Belvidere Road and is helping police with their inquiries.

The Merseyside force said she was uninjured and had not been arrested.

Five 11-year-old girls and two 13-year-old girls were taken to Alder Hey Hospital, and a 16-year-old girl was taken to the Royal Liverpool Hospital. Six girls were kept in hospital overnight and some were still in hospital by Saturday afternoon.

One of the 11-year-olds suffered a broken ankle and cuts to the face, a 13-year-old girl had a fractured hip and the other 13-year-old two broken arms, said police.

Two other girls suffered broken bones and three had soft tissue damage. None of the injuries are life-threatening.

The accident happened as students at the independent girls' secondary school for 11 to 19-year-olds broke up for half-term.

A police spokesman said the investigation into the crash would continue on Saturday.

In a letter to parents, Belvedere Academy principal Peter Kennedy said: "The thoughts of everyone at Belvedere are very much with the injured girls and their families, as well as those who witnessed the accident, and I should like to thank everybody for their messages of support.

"I would also like to thank the emergency services, parents and members of the local community for their tremendous support during what was an extremely difficult situation.

"The academy will be open on Monday, 15th February between 10am and 12noon for staff and students who would like to come in and there will be support available for those who need it."

:: Anyone who witnessed the collision is asked call the roads policing department on 0151 777 5747.