Eight schoolgirls recovering in Liverpool after being hit by car

Eight girls are recovering from their injuries following a road collision outside a school in Liverpool.

Six of the casualties aged 11 to 13 suffered mainly broken bones in the incident near Belvedere Academy in the city.

A passerby witnessed the collision involving a yellow Peugeot car at about 3.20pm yesterday, with reports the vehicle mounted a kerb and hit a number of youngsters.

Pupils at the independent girls’ secondary school had just finished for half-term when the incident happened as buses arrived to collect them.

An 80-year-old woman, who was driving the Peugeot, stopped at the scene in Belvidere Rd and is helping police with their inquiries.

Merseyside Police said the woman 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.

Among the casualties were an 11-year-old girl with a broken ankle and cuts to the face, a 13-year-old girl with a fractured hip, and another 13-year-old who suffered two broken arms, said police.

Earlier, in a statement on Belvedere Academy’s website, principal Peter Kennedy said: “Unfortunately there was a serious accident outside the academy at approximately 3.20pm this afternoon.

“Six of our students sustained injuries, some quite serious but not life-threatening. The emergency services were on the scene very quickly and dealt efficiently with the situation.

“All of the injured students have been taken to hospital where they are being treated. We will keep you updated as and when we receive further information.”