Girl fights for life after backpack gun horror

A 15-year-old girl was fighting for her life today after she and a fellow pupil were shot when a gun in a dropped backpack went off.

The girl suffered a skull fracture, bruising to the brain and a significant blood clot in the incident at a high school in Los Angeles, California, yesterday.

A 15-year-old boy was said to be in a fair condition after being shot in the neck.

Neurosurgeon Dr James Ausman said the girl was unconscious when she arrived at Los Angeles County Harbour-UCLA Medical Centre and underwent emergency surgery to remove the clot.

She was in a critical condition and remained sedated with her family by her side, he said.

Deputy Police Chief Patrick Gannon said both victims were hit by one bullet when a gun in a backpack went off when it was dropped at Gardena High School.

The 17-year-old student who brought the gun was being questioned by police.